Supporters of the controversial Norwich Western Link have said the £274m scheme is essential to boost the county's economy and stop rural roads from being clogged with traffic.

Norfolk County Council is set to submit an application for the 3.9-mile road to its own planning committee after the government agreed to provide millions of pounds for the route, which would connect the Northern Distributor Road to the A47 west of Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: An artist's impression of the Norwich Western Link roadAn artist's impression of the Norwich Western Link road (Image: Norfolk County Council)

And business bosses and people living in Weston Longville have welcomed the prospect of the road becoming a reality.


Eastern Daily Press: Clarke WillisClarke Willis (Image: Archant)Clarke Willis, director of the Food Enterprise Park at Easton, said the new road would make it easier and more efficient for lorries carrying food from farms for processing to get around.

He said: "The current roads between here and north of here are extremely poor and there is no defined route through.

"I feel really sorry for those people in villages that are having vehicles running through narrow roads. The road network is not sufficient to cope with that.

"The Western Link will make massive differences to us here. It will free up that link from here to all that land north of Norwich.

"To me, having really clearly defined road corridors makes it so much easier to move around.

"We're not looking for motorways or high-speed traffic, but road corridors we can use to move vehicles effectively and efficiently."

READ MORE: Warning Norwich Western Link road disastrous for wildlife

Eastern Daily Press: Clare MortonClare Morton (Image: Clare Morton)

Clare Morton, chairwoman of Weston Longville Parish Council, said the roads through the village were so jammed that people were reluctant to use the village hall because of difficulties getting in and out of it.

And Peter Halls, from Weston Longville, said: "I think that living where we do, with our garden alongside the road makes us one of the most affected by present traffic.

"In the summer at peak times it is too noisy to sit in the garden and we are affected by fumes.

"The blatant disregard for speed limits, weight and size restrictions all the time is very frustrating."

The government has agreed to give £213m towards the £274m cost of the road. But County Hall leaders are hoping that figure will be increased to £251m.

While the road has its supporters, critics say it will lead to more pollution and will damage wildlife habitats.