Campaign:”We believe we’ve done enough”
Campaigners who want to save their streets from becoming commuter rat runs are keeping up the pressure on the council.
Consultation closes today on changes to a Dereham Road junction, which has sparked a vocal neighbourhood campaign.
A core group of residents hope they’ve done enough to win over councillors. Some have spent hundreds of pounds of their own money to pay for leaflets and letters, highlighting the issue to local people.
Residents had until today to submit their views on two options for changing the Dereham Road junction with Heigham Road and Old Palace Road, as part of plans to improve bus services along Dereham Road.
A year ago, the option to ban right hand turns off Dereham Road into Heigham Road and Old Palace Road, stirred up strong local opposition as residents feared their streets – such as Alexandra Road and Gladstone Street – would be turned into rat runs.
Two public drop-in sessions were held in December 2011, allowing people to see plans for an alternative option. The alternative, which Norfolk County Council estimate could be £100,000 more expensive, would retain the right turns and still bring an improvement to bus journey times. Some road widening would be needed.
Neville Young, from the ‘No Right Turn ban‘ campaign group said: “We believe we’ve done enough to sway the committee but I wouldn’t be surprised if some curve ball came our way. We’re not prepared to stand by and be pushed – we believe we are right and have a good viable alternative.”
Norwich Highways Agency Committee next meet on Thursday 22nd March, when a decision should be taken. After a year of campaigning, Neville Young adds: “It has been quite rewarding to find out how we’ve come together to oppose a common change in the status quo.”
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