There are fears that a massive retail and business park on the edge of the city is at risk of becoming a vehicle-only zone if pedestrian crossings are not built at the site.

Eleanor Laming, a Broadland District Council committee member, raised the concerns after plans for a major M&S food hall were put forward for Postwick.

It joins recent plans for a huge Costco and a self-storage centre at the site, along with Greggs, Starbucks and Burger King outlets.

There is no safe crossing between The Oaks housing development (left) and Broadland Gate (right), Ms Laming saysThere is no safe crossing between The Oaks housing development (left) and Broadland Gate (right), Ms Laming says (Image: Google) But the councillor says that unless pedestrian crossing points are included in the plans people living in the nearby 520-house development due to be built in the Oaks will not be able to access the retailers without a car.

Cllr Laming said: "Although there is a designated crossing with dropped kerbs across Poppy Way, it will not be sufficient as the area continues to develop.   

"The volume of traffic and 40mph speed limit along this road is also likely to increase substantially as the NDR becomes busier due to new development."

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Along with the hundreds of homes due to be built in the Oaks, another 272-home development is also earmarked for the area.

"I don't want to see residents of the Oaks discouraged from using active travel," Cllr Laming added.

The Oaks (red) is separated from Broadland Gate (green) by Poppy WayThe Oaks (red) is separated from Broadland Gate (green) by Poppy Way (Image: Google) "Residents will want to choose healthier ways to get around or may not have access to a car."

The issue has been raised with Norfolk County Council which Cllr Laming claims will undertake a pedestrian crossing assessment in the coming months.

READ MORE: Fears Costco site will make area as congested as Longwater

In the meantime, she plans to object to the M&S proposal on the grounds of highway safety.

"I would like to see a safer crossing in place before any more development takes place," she said. 

Norfolk County Council has been approached for comment.

Councillor Eleanor Laming is concerned that Postwick communities could become entirely car-dependent if no changes are madeCouncillor Eleanor Laming is concerned that Postwick communities could become entirely car-dependent if no changes are made