Your chance to shape Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn Transport Strategies

A public consultation on transport strategies for Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn has been launched so people can have their say on future travel options. 

Norfolk County Council is updating these plans to reflect changes in national and local transport policy, our lifestyle habits since Covid, and the adoption of the previous strategies in 2020. 

The strategies highlight the transport infrastructure that needs to be delivered within the next five to ten years to enable sustainable growth, while protecting the areas' culture and heritage. Both borough councils have been involved in the work and key stakeholders have been consulted. 

We really want to hear from people that live, work and spend leisure time in Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn, as well as organisations with an interest in the local transport infrastructure to get their thoughts on the proposals. 

The survey runs from 24 September to 5 November, and your feedback will be considered alongside other relevant information and data to ensure our strategies meeting the needs of local people. The findings will feed into the final drafts of the strategies which will be fed back to our county councillors ahead of a decision to adopt them. 

Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure said: "Transport choices and the quality of our infrastructure make a fundamental difference to people's lives - whether that is using the road network, travelling by rail or accessing places by walking and cycling. 

"I would urge as many people and organisations as possible to have their say through this consultation and help us develop the strategies, so they are right for these towns and integral to our economic future."

Transport improvements will be fundamental to achieving sustainable housing and economic growth in Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn, tackling inequality, improving health and supporting regeneration. Improving walking, wheeling and cycling and public transport will enable existing and future residents, visitors and employees to choose cleaner and healthier ways to travel. 

Since the previous Transport Strategies were adopted by Norfolk County Council and the Borough Councils in spring 2020, there has been significant investment in the towns. 

Key achievements in Great Yarmouth have included the opening of the new Herring Bridge in February 2024, an improvement to the railway station access junction and an improvement to the A47 Harfreys roundabout to complement the new Herring Bridge. A key outcome is that there has been a 42% reduction in motor traffic on Haven Bridge due to the opening of Herring Bridge. 

In King's Lynn, there has been significant investment in the development of the West Winch Housing Access Road, the Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme (STARS) and a raft of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan schemes. 

The transport strategies acknowledge factors that will influence how Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn look in the future. This includes growth opportunities through planned housing and infrastructure developments, changes to the way people and goods move, and climate change. 

Cllr Carl Smith, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: ''Highlighting the transport improvements that will help deliver success for Great Yarmouth is incredibly important. Not only for our residents, but also for visitors and for making sure we are well placed to facilitate economic growth in the borough. 

"Our tourism industry, as well as those who live and work in Great Yarmouth, needs a robust transport strategy and I would urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation to ensure we have a plan that can deliver what people and business need into the future.'' 

Cllr Paul Bland, Cabinet Member for Parking and Open Spaces at the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk commented: "Investing in suitable highways infrastructure and travel options for getting into and around King's Lynn continues to be critical to support our wider aspirations for the future of the town and West Norfolk more widely, including sustainable economic growth, investment and regeneration opportunities. 

"The transport strategy has been critical to unlocking investment to date and will continue to do so with the new updated strategy, potentially through other funding opportunities on the horizon including the Plan for Neighbourhoods and proposed devolution in Norfolk and Suffolk. 

"We are working with the county council to seek to make it easier for more people to choose healthier, greener and more cost-effective ways to travel into and around King's Lynn town centre, balanced with an ongoing need to ensure good infrastructure for car journeys and commercial vehicles. I encourage everyone in West Norfolk to take part in this consultation to help shape the final transport strategy." 

You can take part in the consultation online.

Printed copies are also available via the consultation page.