A public consultation is underway to gather the opinions of both the public and businesses regarding proposed changes to Golden Ball Street and Westlegate. These proposals include changes to traffic flows, the creation of more pedestrian areas, and the removal of traffic lights and kerbside barriers at a number of junctions.
Norfolk County Council’s overall strategy is to promote sustainable transport so that growth can be managed in a way that avoids damaging the city’s special character. It includes a series of city centre measures aimed at reducing through traffic, while maintaining and improving access to Norwich’s business and retail centre for all modes of travel, including private cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians. The intention is to support the economic vitality of Norwich’s business and retail centre, reduce conflict between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists and improve the environment for all.
The proposals for the area around Golden Ball Street, All Saints Green and Westlegate build upon other projects, in particular the recent changes in St Stephens Street and on Chapel Field North, Theatre Street and Rampant Horse Street. The attached PDF shows how the proposed changes would work.
Project Summary:
- All Saints Street and part of All Saints Green pedestrianised*, linking the main city centre to John Lewis and Ber Street via Westlegate
- Westlegate pedestrianised* for its entire length.
- Golden Ball Street open to two-way traffic (currently one-way).
- Farmers Avenue two-way as far as Castle Mall car park, allowing direct access from Ber Street via Cattle Market Street/Golden Ball Street. Western end of Farmers pedestrianised*.
- Traffic lights removed from junctions at: Red Lion Street/Castle Meadow, St Stephens Street/Rampant Horse Street, St Stephens Street/Surrey Street, and Cattle Market Street/Rouen Road.
- Informal pedestrian crossing points at Castle Meadow/Red Lion Street, St Stephens Street/Rampant Horse Street, Rouen Road/Cattle Market Street, and Farmers Avenue /Golden Ball Street.
- New signal controlled pedestrian crossing on St Stephens Street by Surrey Street. Existing signal controlled crossing on Red Lion Street by Orford Hill retained.
- Red Lion Street available for use by buses, taxis, cyclists and for access only.
- Extra pay and display parking on Rouen Road.
- New disabled parking and coach bay on Ber Street, replacing some in pay and display parking.
- John Lewis car park access available from both directions on Ber Street (currently only left turn in and out).
- Entire area within the new 20mph City Centre Zone.
*In most pedestrian areas, access for cycling, deliveries and servicing will be maintained.
Displays will be available to view from 01 July at Westgate Tower and in Norwich City Hall, where staff will be present from 10am – 6.30pm on 01 – 02 July.
Businesses have until Sunday 26 July 2015 to comment either in writing or via an online survey. The results will be discussed by the Norwich Highways Agency Committee on 17 September 2015.
