Holt Road (A140) - proposals for an extension to the yellow pedalway
Norfolk County Council and the Transport for Norwich partnership are asking for further feedback on the proposed extension to one of Norwich's cycle-friendly routes, known as the Yellow Pedalway.
Overview
The aim of this project is to improve facilities for those walking, wheeling (using wheelchairs or pushchairs) and cycling on the A140 Holt Road, between Amsterdam Way and the roundabout with the Broadland Northway (A1270). It also aims to increase the number of bus stops for people using public transport, while improving safety for all road users by reducing vehicle speeds on this major route.
What's changed
We consulted the public on an initial design concept in August 2024. The consultation ran for three weeks and 154 responses were received.
The overall aims of the scheme received broad support as did the proposed reduction in speed limit but a number of concerns were raised over the position of the cycle route, bus stops and the proposed crossing facilities.
In response to this we have revised the design:
- Incorporating the shared use path on the west side of the A140 throughout the length of the scheme
- Removing the proposed Toucan crossing near Trott rentals
- Reconfigured the Amsterdam way junction to make it possible for both cyclists and pedestrians to cross safely
- Created a new single stage Toucan crossing on Middleton's lane
- Created a new inbound bus layby (subject to land availability) opposite the NEST, with an associated informal crossing point
- Created a new shared use path (subject to land agreement) between Holt Road and Bush Road, providing an additional link between the new route and surrounding residential area
To safely locate the pedalway route on the west side of the A140 the revised proposal also includes:
- The prohibition of verge parking on Holt Road
- The removal of two small laybys
How to comment
To find out more about the proposals and the reasons behind them, please visit the survey page below.
Large print and alternative formats are also available on request by emailing transportfornorwich@norfolk.gov.uk
Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
Consultation on tree removal
For this project to be delivered according to the proposal plans shown in the consultation link above, it is likely we may need to remove some vegetation, which falls under our street tree consultation process. If this is the case we will carry out a separate consultation on this before any clearance work is given approval, once a full arboricultural assessment has been carried out.
The tree removal consultation is not yet live but we will keep this page updated with information when the time comes and there will also be notices displayed on site with full details of the proposed work.
Next Steps
The deadline for comments is Sunday 15 December and we will carefully consider all responses ahead of advertisement of the formal Traffic Regulation Orders needed to deliver the project. This will be done in consultation with the local county council member and cabinet member, as appropriate. This page will be kept up to date with the latest progress and information.
If approved for construction following the consultation periods, we plan for work to start on site in summer 2025.
Background
The overall budget for this project is around £1.9m, with funding coming from the Greater Norwich Growth Board's Infrastructure Investment Fund, the Department for Transport's Transforming Cities Fund and Norfolk County Councils Local Transport Plan.
PEA039 - Frequently asked questions
General
Why is this scheme needed?
There is an existing shared use facility connecting the A1270 Broadland Northway to the Cromer Road roundabout, heading inbound towards the city centre. However, this route terminates just south of the roundabout where cyclists must join the busy A140, which is currently a 60mph speed limit. There is also no safe walking route between the Cromer Road roundabout and residential properties in Hellesdon and local residents have previously called for this link to be provided.
Horsham St Faith and The Nest Community Hub are within cycling distance of the city but are cut off by the lack of any cycling infrastructure that would enable cyclists to avoid sharing space with heavy traffic on A140 Holt Road.
Improving cycling links between the rural communities north of Horsford and Norwich City centre while linking key destinations along its route including The Nest Community Hub, Airport Park and Ride and the Airport Aviation Academy, was identified as a priority in Norfolk County Council's Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Greater Norwich (consulted on in July 2021).
How much will the scheme cost and how will it be funded?
The Yellow Pedalway extension has an estimated budget of £1.9 million. Most of this funding (£1.6 million) has come from the Greater Norwich Growth Boards Infrastructure Investment Fund. The remaining funding has been supplied by Transforming Cities Funding and local sources.
Other funding has been allocated to this scheme to upgrade the traffic signals at the Holt Road/Amsterdam Way junction and to resurface the existing footway outside of the residential properties.
Can the money be spent on something else?
The funding can only be spent on this project and cannot be used to fund other frontline council services or initiatives.
Driveways and parking
Will access to my driveway be affected?
All driveway accesses will remain; however, residents should be aware pedestrians and cyclists will have priority over vehicles entering or existing driveways.
Why is verge parking being prohibited?
While there is technically some space for parking on the verges adjacent to the shared use path this would still generate potential obstructions, depending on the size of vehicles and how they are parked, as well as further safety concerns regarding car doors opening into both the path and carriageway.
Where are vehicles expected to park?
All properties have driveways and two large layby parking areas have been retained within the proposed design.
What about deliveries?
Vehicles temporarily visiting properties would be expected to park in the existing laybys.
Cycling
What is a shared use path?
A shared path is designed for all types of users including walking, wheeling (pushchair, wheelchair and scooter users) and cyclists. Shared paths may be identified by signs showing a white bicycle and pedestrian on a blue background.
How does this path link to the Yellow Pedalway route?
The proposed infrastructure will terminate at Amsterdam Way and signs will be provided to direct users to the new airport link road via Liberator Road which will be upgraded and widened to enable two-way pedestrian, cycle and bus travel. Construction of the link road is expected to start early in the new year subject to the necessary legal processes being completed.
Will it be mandatory for cyclists to use the shared use path?
It will not be mandatory for cyclists to use the shared use facility but the majority of cyclists travelling along the A140 Holt Road will use it due to the improved safety it provides versus cycling on the main carriageway.
Why are you not building a separate cycle path inbound from the A1270 Broadway Northway roundabout?
There is insufficient space to install a path on both sides of the Holt Road and due to a lack of safe places to cross this busy main road and feedback from the public in the first consultation suggested it would be better placed on the other side of the carriageway.
However, the proposed 3m shared use path on the western side of Holt Road will allow cycling in both directions and the crossing facilities near the Broadland Northway will be upgraded to allow users to access the proposed path from the existing shared use facilities on both sides of the Broadland Northway roundabout.
Why is dropped kerb cycle access only proposed on one side of Amsterdam Way?
The proposed access on the northern side of the junction (item J on plan 3 of the proposal) is to enable cycles crossing Holt Road via the Toucan crossing to rejoin the carriageway to travel into the airport estate.
For anyone cycling in the opposite direction, wishing to use both crossing facilities the shared use pavement approaching the junction would be tied into the existing shared use facility running from the mini roundabout on the southern side of Amsterdam Way.
Design and streetlighting
How wide will the shared use path be?
The proposed shared use path will be at least 3m wide with a 0.5m buffer between the path and the carriageway. Where space is available around junctions the path will be widened further.
Why can't the path be wider, or users segregated?
To separate users a 5m wide path would be required. While space is available within the existing highway boundary outside of the residential properties, this is not possible due to existing levels and drainage issues.
To achieve a 5m path on the northern section of the scheme significant third-party land acquisition from outside of the highway boundary would be required, this is not possible due to budget constraints.
Will additional streetlights be installed?
Streetlights are already in use at the residential end of the route but we are unable to install additional streetlights along this corridor route as they would be located within Norwich International Airport's safeguarding area which extends beyond the airport's boundary fence.
Furthermore, the installation of any streetlights is not permitted on the Cromer Road roundabout due to restrictions from the Development Consent Order which was granted to build the A1270 Broadland Northway.
Why can't a traffic light-controlled crossing be installed near the Cromer Road roundabout?
The introduction of a traffic light-controlled crossing (such as a Toucan crossing) would require the 90m crossing approach to be lit in both directions, this is not possible due to streetlighting restrictions as detailed above.
Therefore, the width of hatching around the existing uncontrolled crossing near the roundabout splitter island will be increased.
Why have two stage Toucan crossings been proposed at the junction with Amsterdam Way rather than separate single stage pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities?
Alternative crossings designs were considered which would allow cyclists to cross in one movement, however traffic modelling data indicated this would have a significant detrimental effect on the overall operation of the junction. As a shared use facility is proposed as part of this scheme Toucan crossings have been provided as they are also shared between pedestrians and cyclists.
Will waiting bus passengers obstruct the pathway?
Where space is available around bus stops the path will be widened, to accommodate waiting bus passengers.
40mph Speed Limit
Why has a 40mph speed limit been proposed?
This proposal, combined with the installation of the shared use path will improve this corridor for walking and cycling. The speed limit reduction will create a safer environment for walking and cycling and make it safer to cross the A140 at the Broadland Northway roundabout and for those wishing to access the Nest from the inbound bus stop.
The proposed 40mph speed limit is consistent with Norfolk County Council's Speed Management Strategy.
Why is the 40mph speed limit reduction not listed in the proposals currently being consulted on?
The proposed speed limit reduction was consulted on in the previous round of consultation and received a broad level of support so we are not consulting specifically on this element in this follow up consultation.
The proposed speed limit is still shown on the plans and we will consider any points raised on this topic as part of the general feedback and analysis. There will also be a further opportunity for the public to comment should they wish, if we proceed with the traffic regulation orders required to implement the change.
Trees
Are you planning to remove any trees?
For this project to be delivered according to the proposal plans, we may need to remove some vegetation, which falls under our street tree consultation process.
A separate consultation will follow should any street trees require removal, detailing full mitigation plans for replacement.
This webpage will be kept up to date with the latest information, with notices also placed on site.
Flooding
Will existing flooding issues be addressed?
The highway engineers designing the proposals have been made aware of some reoccurring flooding issues in the area. These will be investigated further as part of the scheme's development and measures will be put in place to alleviate this issue. Residents are welcome to contact the project team at transportfornorwich@norfolk.gov.uk to advise of any known drainage issues. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
Laybys
How many laybys are being removed?
Two laybys would need to removed in order to facilitate the new shared use path. One is a gravel parking area, located on the western side of the A140 just past the end of the row of residential properties on Holt Road (marked with letter E on Plan 2 of the consultation pack).
The other layby is the smaller one directly opposite the entrance to Trott rentals. Also marked letter E on Plan 2 of the consultation pack.
All other laybys would remain, although some would reduce in length slightly to accommodate the new kerb lines.
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