It looks as if the funding gap which had been identified to get the NDR built is the the process of being resolved
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said “The NDR will bring significant economic benefits to Norwich and Norfolk and the news that a £30m funding gap is close to being closed is good news for local businesses
The increase of cost from £148.5m to £178m it is said was due to construction cost inflation and design changes
The council had hoped the Department for Transport would contribute £15m to plug the gap, while councillors were next month due to be asked, at an extraordinary meeting, to agree to match that with £15m from the authority’s transport budget.
However, a deal has been tentatively forged which would close the funding gap. The government has told the county council it is prepared to contribute £10m, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will consider putting up £10m, which would leave the council to find the final £10m.
The government has already pledged a £67.5m contribution, for the section from Postwick on the A47 to the A140 at Norwich International Airport. It has also given £19m for the Postwick Hub element of the project – with work well underway.
George Nobbs, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “During the last few years, I have had many reasons to complain about the government, but I have no complaints today.
“If this deal does go ahead, then this will be a generous and far-sighted gesture by the Department for Transport and the Local Enterprise Partnership, of which I am a board member.
“The possible three way split between the council, the government and the LEP would be a model of co-operation for the benefit of all the people of Norfolk.”
Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP said: “This road will deliver more than £1bn in economic benefit for Norwich and the wider economy. It is critical in delivering thousands of jobs, new homes and driving the economic growth we need across our region. We have been talking to the Government and Norfolk County Council to see how we can support the additional funding needed to make sure it happens. As a result I will be asking our full board to commit £10m from the LEP’s future Growth Deal funding, when we next meet in early September.”
The council has said initial work on the road, which was given government permission in June, will start in October, with full blown construction work set to start in February or March next year, to be completed in 2017.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “DFT has considered Norfolk’s request for additional funding to help cover the cost increase and subject to assessing a final business case an additional £10m has been offered on an exceptional basis given the importance of the scheme to growth in the Norwich area.”
Full a full update details on the NDR click here
