7 June 2021
Greens Attempt to Save Norfolk Countryside from Vanity Road Project
Green Party councillors will today attempt to amend a decision by Norfolk County Council to award a contract worth around £190 million to build a large new road to the west of Norwich.
Councillor Jamie Osborn, who will be putting the amendment said:
“I’ve found the lack of evidence and scientific analysis around this project frightening. The cabinet seems to have taken a decision to build a large road because they want to, rather than because it is needed or a sensible contribution to a successful future transport system in Norfolk. For this reason, I’m asking for the decision to be reconsidered and for background information, such as traffic-flow evidence, legal advice and and carbon calculations to be made available to the public.”
Councillor Osborn went on to say:
“Norfolk has been called a ‘car county’ but this is only because the county council hasn’t yet had the imagination or ambition to invest in more modern forms of transport. I’m sure Norfolk could once have been described as a ‘horse and cart county’ but that description today is laughable. Cars are not inevitable and we could be doing so much better for the people of Norfolk.
“It’s likely the cost of this road will rise beyond £190 million, which is an extraordinary amount of money to spend on a road which will have so little benefit for so few people. Wider investment in public transport would be far more ambitious and helpful to more people.”
An Extraordinary Meeting of the council has been called for 2pm on Monday 7th June and can be viewed online at (346) Norfolk County Council Democratic Services – YouTube. The only substantive item on the agenda is regarding the appointment of a design and build contractor for the Norwich Western Link road.
Notes:
1. The Green amendment in full:
To ask Cabinet to reconsider its decision with the following information publicly supplied:
- The calculations used to quantify the projected carbon impacts of the project, including carbon from construction and land use change.
- Detailed evidence for the claims regarding traffic flows related to the scheme and changes since the 2015 NATS modelling on which the SOBC was based.
- Evidence of legal advice sought by the council regarding the carbon implications of the scheme, their mitigation and legal risks associated with the scheme’s carbon impacts.
- Evidence of how carbon emissions and biodiversity loss are to be considered within the risk register.
- Scientific evidence of the efficacy of “green bridges”.
- Evidence of how ancient and veteran trees could be included in Biodiversity Net Gain calculations.
- Detailed evidence of how the contractors selected to input into and deliver the scheme have been assessed for their environmental management.
- A Habitats Regulation Assessment, and evidence of legal advice sought by the council regarding how the River Wensum SAC status has changed since 2005.
- Evidence of how the findings of the contractors’ report into high level of barbastelle bat presence and activity on or close to the proposed route of the road have been considered.
- Detailed evidence of the impact of the construction period on biodiversity.
- An Equalities Impact Assessment for the scheme.
- Detailed evidence of the financial risks of proceeding with the scheme in the face of likely legal challenges and delays.
