Norfolk police have raised safety fears over the Norwich Western Link, saying the controversial 3.9-mile road needs to be better lit than the Northern Distributor Road (NDR).

Critics have said the lack of lighting on parts of the NDR has contributed to the number of crashes on the dual carriageway.

Norfolk Constabulary urged council bosses to prevent a repeat of that with the £274m link road to connect the NDR to the A47.

No new lighting is proposed along the Western Link, which would run from the A1067 Fakenham Road to join the A47 at a new roundabout near Honingham.

A visualisation of the Norwich Western LinkA visualisation of the Norwich Western Link (Image: Norfolk County Council)

The only lighting will be on the approach to the A47, where a short section would be lit from the give way line on the new roundabout.

READ MORE: Environmental groups urge opposition to Norwich Western Link

And Norfolk police traffic officers, as part of the consultation over plans for the road, lodged concerns with County Hall.

They said: "The current NDR has had a number of collisions on the roundabouts during the hours of darkness.

"Consideration should therefore be given to sufficient lighting and or signage to prevent this occurring on the new section of road."

The Norwich Northern Distributor RoadThe Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Image: Archant)

Police also said there were not enough laybys and places for officers to observe traffic or conduct stop checks on the existing NDR.

They requested laybys or observation platforms on the new link road which includes a viaduct over the Wensum Valley.

However, the Western Link plans do include two laybys - one on each side of the road - and a pair of observation platforms.

READ MORE: Deadline to have say over £274m Norfolk road extended

A county council spokeswoman said: "We are currently in the planning stage of the project and we will continue to work with the planning authority to respond to the matters that have been raised by consultees."

After opening fully to traffic in 2018, the council looked into the issues around the higher than expected number of crashes at some roundabouts on the NDR.

Martin WilbyMartin Wilby (Image: Archant)

But Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure at that time, said the spate was due to drivers travelling too quickly, rather than a lack of lighting.

A visualisation of the Norwich Western Link road (Image: Norfolk County Council)

They said then that there were no plans to install lighting along more of the NDR, as illuminated signs were already in place.