Norwich City Council seeks to block Western Link money

The Labour-run cabinet at City Hall is due to agree to reiterate its opposition to Norfolk County Council's proposed 3.9-mile-road, to connect the Northern Distributor Road to the A47.

But city leaders will also make clear they would oppose a multi-million pot of money shared by a group of councils from being used for the road.

if the road gets planning permission - and that is a big if, given the scheme is opposed by Natural England and the Environment Agency - the county council faces a shortfall in paying for it.

The Department for Transport has committed £213m, but County Hall leaders hoped that would be increased to £251m, using money 'saved' by cancelling the northern leg of the HS2 rail route.

However, the government failed to confirm extra cash before the election and it remains to be seen what the new Labour government will do.

At Wednesday's cabinet meeting, the city council is likely to state it would "not be prepared to support any proposal for the pooled funding resources of the Greater Norwich Growth Board being used to assist with delivery of the scheme".

That board, made up of the city, county, Broadland and South Norfolk councils, has access to millions collected from developers via the community infrastructure levy.

Members of the board decide where that money is spent and the city is clear it would seek to block any being used for the road.

READ MORE: Norfolk council accused of 'downplaying' road's trees impact

The board is also able to borrow money at special rates from the government's Public Works Loans Board.

That was used to kickstart the Long Stratton bypass, but the city is likely to oppose any attempt to assist with the Western Link.

The Long Stratton bypass is taking shape (Image: MIKE PAGE)

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The council is due to say it opposes the plans because they are not supported by "sufficiently convincing evidence that the Norwich Western Link is a critical part of an environmentally progressive and deliverable transport strategy for the city".

The county council, which has lodged plans with its planning committee, has said it will consider all responses.