A full meeting of Norfolk County Council today (Friday 6 November) overwhelminglyre-confirmed that the council will provide the final funding (£10.4m)for Norwich Northern Distributor Road, completing a funding package to pay for the £178.95m dual carriageway running 20km from the A47 at Postwick to the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham Road.
Today’s Extraordinary Meeting was held to avoid being drawn into a potentially protracted legal process when the original Council decision (taken on 02 September) was challenged by the Wensum Valley Alliance.
The Council voted by55 to 7 to accept offers by the Department for Transport and New Anglia LEP of £10m each towards a £30.4m increase in the cost of the NDR. A Green Party amendmentbased ona revised routeoption between theA47 and A140 was defeated 55 to 4, with 3 abstentions.
Subject to final approval and the release of national funding by the Department for Transport, the contract for the work has been awarded to Balfour Beatty Civils. Preliminary work is due to begin on site within the next few weeks.
Cllr George Nobbs, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said:
“This was a decisive vote. Council clearly accepts that Norfolk needs the NDR, that it represents very good value for money, and that there should be no further delay. Members have had the chance to yet again consider the reports and arguments very carefully and have accepted that the rise in construction costs, although unwelcome, are still reasonable.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“A confirmed start date for work on the NDR will be another positive step toward getting the improvements to Norfolk’s infrastructure which the business community has been calling for. The NDR is not just a piece of road, but the opportunity to unlock jobs and new homes for the city and surrounding area and a swift start on site will be welcomed.”
