Thorpe Hamlet Green Party Councillor Ben Price has worked with the city and county councils to deliver measures to deal with the additional impact of traffic along Rosary Road and nearby streets caused by the closing of Thorpe Road to vehicles entering the city outside the railway station.
Councillor Price said:
“Improvements to public transport, walking and cycling are needed across the county and I’m pleased to see some of the changes around the train station such as a new zebra crossing and a new bay for Beryl bikes. However, the quality of life for local residents should not deteriorate as a result of this project. Speeding and rat-running are already causing difficulties here and they need to get better, not worse.
“The original plans to make Chalk Hill Road and St Matthews Road one-way were unpopular with their residents and did not help people living in Telegraph Lane East, St Leonards Road and other streets which would be affected. I was able to explain this to council officers and secure funding and agreement to find a different solution which covered a much wider area, all of which will be affected by the changes. I’m very pleased this is now going to happen.”
Councillor Price described the scheme originally proposed as “one size fits none” when he addressed the Joint Committee for Transforming Cities Fund Projects in June 2021[1]. Today he said “It’s obvious that traffic calming measures are needed in the streets affected by the Thorpe Road closure. Cutting through Rosary Road is going to seem more appealing to many drivers than following the official route via Carrow Road. Residents from Telegraph Lane East to Chalk Hill Road are going to be affected by these changes and the county council needs to show some responsibility towards them and find ways to mitigate the impact.
“The plan, as it stands, is unlikely to reduce the amount of traffic on Riverside Road and I’m concerned about congestion and air quality there. I want to see measures to clean up the air in Thorpe Hamlet, as well as widespread 20mph speed limits. One suggestion is that signage is installed to prevent cars turning left out of Chalk Hill Road and St Matthews Road, but this and other proposals need to be consulted on properly so that residents’ input is finally taken into consideration.
“I will continue to speak to residents and work with council officers to find solutions to traffic problems and other issues. As a city and county councillor I always aim to maximise opportunities to get the best outcomes.”
A spokesperson from Norfolk County Council said:
“We are aware that there is additional pressure on the Thorpe Hamlet road network at present whilst the road closures on Thorpe Road and Riverside Road are in place. We are monitoring this situation closely and it has always been the intention that a wider 20mph zone is looked at for this area following the completion of the Thorpe Road bus gate. Before this work commenced, NCC caried out extensive traffic surveys for the area under consideration so we have a base line of traffic levels and speeds. From this, and working with the community we are looking to implement this wider 20mph zone along with any associated traffic calming measures required.
“Part of this proposal will be to consider what are the best options to help prevent any rat-running between Rosary Road and Riverside Road along St Mathews Road and Chalk Hill Road. We will seek the views of local residents over the coming weeks to help derive the best option for both these streets and the wider area. Follow up traffic surveys will also help demonstrate any changes in traffic levels before and after implementation of the changes on Thorpe Road. From initial feedback gathered we are aware of existing concerns in the area and this affords an opportunity to address these at the same time.”
Further information from:
Councillor Ben Price 07947 777949 ben.price@cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
Notes:
1. https://youtu.be/dLbxzWSDPac 1h39min: Councillor Price addresses the Joint Committee for Transforming Cities Fund Projects
2. Rosary Road crash: Royal Mail lorry crashes in Norwich | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk): Speeding and rat-running have caused difficulties on Rosary Road for some time.
Norwich Green Party has ten councillors on Norwich City Council, where it forms the main opposition party, and three on Norfolk County Council, representing the wards of Mancroft, Nelson and Thorpe Hamlet in Norwich.
