Time is running out for people to have their say on plans for the controversial £274m Norwich Western Link road.

The deadline for people to take part in the planning process for the 3.9-mile road is Monday, August 19.

The cut-off for comments was supposed to be Thursday, July 18. But it was extended after Norfolk County Council received "a number of requests" for extra time.

There are about 700 documents included in the council's application for the road, which would connect the Norwich Northern Distributor Road to the A47 west of Norwich.

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

The documents cover matters such as the road's impact on wildlife, air quality, drainage and highways issues.

So far, more than 3,600 comments have been lodged.

The road, which includes a viaduct over the Wensum Valley, has long been a priority for Conservative-controlled County Hall.

The council says it will stop rat-running in villages, shave time off journeys, help businesses and bring an economic boost.

But critics say the scheme's costs are spiralling and that it will harm the environment, including rare barbastelle bats and ancient woodland.

READ MORE: Ancient woodland is new stumbling block for Norfolk road

The project is facing an uncertain future.

Natural England told the council that, based on the information the authority has provided so far, it would be unlikely to award a licence needed to do anything which might disturb or harm the bats.

Without such a licence, the road could not be built.

But the council pressed ahead with lodging plans to its own planning department, although there are calls for a planning inspector to take the decision out of the hands of councillors.

The Department for Transport has agreed to contribute £213m towards the road's bill.

County Hall leaders hoped the government would increase that to £251m, using money 'saved' by cancelling the northern leg of the HS2 rail route.

But the government failed to confirm any extra cash before the General Election was called.