Norfolk towns to get cycling and pedestrian upgrades

The plans for towns, ranging from Acle to Wymondham, would be used to push for money to install new cycle lanes, footpaths and pedestrian crossings.

Norfolk County Council's Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan aims to get more people cycling and walking, improving their health at the same time as helping reduce reliance on cars.

New plans to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get around 20 of Norfolk's towns and villages have been produced (Image: Newsquest)

The county council says the plan - along with a connected walking, wheeling and cycling strategy - will support the government target for 50pc of all journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2030.

The council produced maps showing potential improvements in Acle, Attleborough, Aylsham, Cromer, Dereham, Diss, Downham Market, Fakenham, Harleston, Hethersett, Holt, Hunstanton, Heacham, Long Stratton, North Walsham, Reepham, Sheringham, Swaffham, Thetford, Watton, Wroxham, Hoveton, and Wymondham.

While there is no money immediately available for changes, the idea is that, by identifying routes, they can be prioritised for money from the government or developers.

Attleborough is one of the towns for which cycling and walking plans have been produced (Image: Mike Page)

For instance, in Attleborough - where thousands of new homes are planned - a route would go from London Road to Norwich Road, connecting existing residential areas with central services, employment areas and schools.

And in Fakenham, where 950 homes are planned north of the town, one proposed route would link those to the town centre, schools and workplaces.

The council's Conservative-controlled cabinet is due to approve the plan and strategy when it meets next month.

But the authority's infrastructure and development committee discussed the proposals earlier this week.

David Cumming, the council's strategic transport team manager acknowledged it was an ambitious strategy, which was not currently funded.

But he said: "We have got a good track record of drawing in funding and the strategy will help us to do that."

Conservative county councillor James Bensly (Image: James Bensly)Councillors were supportive of the strategy, with Conservative James Bensly saying it would boost tourism.

Conservative county councillor Robert Savage (Image: Newsquest)

Robert Savage, Tory councillor for Wymondham, said: "I welcome this proposal, but I note it will be up to five years before any of them happen."

Work has already been carried out in the county’s three largest settlements - Norwich, King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth.