Norfolk County Council gets extension over road scheme cash

Major projects such as the £4.4m revamp of Heartsease roundabout, a £1.7m bus interchange at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and recently approved plans for Newmarket Road and Dereham Road were all hanging in the balance.

That was because the government was considering whether to take away some of the £32m awarded to Norfolk County Council through the Transforming Cities fund in 2020, as part of a national review of how money is being spent.

Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

Council officers at County Hall had to make a case to officials from the Department for Transport that it should be allowed to spend money beyond this March.

And the government has confirmed it has granted Norfolk an extension to the Transforming Cities Fund for the 2023/24 financial year.

READ MORE: New Norwich Airport Industrial Estate Link Road planned

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Newsquest)

Graham Plant, the Conservative-controlled council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "This news clearly reflects our strong track record of delivering schemes across the city.

"We have made it easier and safer for residents and visitors to get around Norwich, whether they’re walking, cycling or catching a bus.

"We will continue to work closely with the government and local partners to deliver these improvements."

Schemes which Transforming Cities money has already been spent on include the £6.1m St Stephens Street shake-up, changes to the Grapes Hill roundabout and the controversial bus lane in Cromer Road, Hellesdon.

The revamp of St Stephens Street in Norwich (Image: Archant)

Next week will see members of the Transport for Norwich advisory committee discuss proposals for the Heartsease roundabout and a £1.1m link road connecting Norwich Airport to the nearby airport industrial estate.