Object
Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy
Representation ID: 20000
Received: 19/02/2020
Respondent: Michael Olesen
Today I attended the GNLP consultation in Sprowston. I appreciate the need for a long term strategy but, as a resident, find it difficult to make a meaningful decision on its proposals when there is no detail on resolving current issues and future identifiable concerns. There is no link to show improvements to local infrastructure nor proposals to cope with all the issues associated with building an additional 4,700 properties and managing the increase in population and road usage. You draft identifies certain infrastructure areas yet I could only find mention to schools. What about medical facilities, police/fire stations, community facilities, cycle routes, increases in buses, improvements to existing roads and junctions, and green spaces. For example, the draft mentions using current P&R site for a High School yet the access roads are already inadequate for the level of current traffic and the roundabouts (both off wroxham road and at junction with P&R) are already choke points at busy times. Another example is the lack of cycle ways, the Salhouse and North Walsham Road are currently not suitable for use by cyclists as there are no cycle tracks, the roads are narrow and the level of traffic high.
Finally, an area long overlooked, bus routes into Norwich City. Why are there no bus lanes going North out of the City? Why do buses use the narrow stretch of Sprowston Road; when to pass vehicles they have to mount the public footpath. I am of the opinion that whilst identifying sites for development little or no consideration has been given to the infrastructure and maintaining/improving the quality of life for current and new residents.
Today I attended the GNLP consultation in Sprowston. I appreciate the need for a long term strategy but, as a resident, find it difficult to make a meaningful decision on its proposals when there is no detail on resolving current issues and future identifiable concerns. There is no link to show improvements to local infrastructure nor proposals to cope with all the issues associated with building an additional 4,700 properties and managing the increase in population and road usage. You draft identifies certain infrastructure areas yet I could only find mention to schools. What about medical facilities, police/fire stations, community facilities, cycle routes, increases in buses, improvements to existing roads and junctions, and green spaces. For example, the draft mentions using current P&R site for a High School yet the access roads are already inadequate for the level of current traffic and the roundabouts (both off wroxham road and at junction with P&R) are already choke points at busy times. Another example is the lack of cycle ways, the Salhouse and North Walsham Road are currently not suitable for use by cyclists as there are no cycle tracks, the roads are narrow and the level of traffic high.
Finally, an area long overlooked, bus routes into Norwich City. Why are there no bus lanes going North out of the City? Why do buses use the narrow stretch of Sprowston Road; when to pass vehicles they have to mount the public footpath. I am of the opinion that whilst identifying sites for development little or no consideration has been given to the infrastructure and maintaining/improving the quality of life for current and new residents.