Following the new developments in Loddon, our roads get very congested at certain times of the day. In Chedgrave there are issues with the traffic in Rectory Lane and Big Back Lane due to traffic going to and from Langley School. The most severe problem, in our opinion, is accessing the A146, especially during peak times.

We appreciate that Langley School provides employment to many in the community and also supports the local economy. Perhaps a speed limit extending from Langley gates would be a good safety measure, with a speed camera. Rectory Lane and Big Back Lane could have one way systems. Going into Chedgrave via Big Back Lane from the Norwich Road and leaving Chedgrave onto the Norwich Road along Rectory Lane, both with 20 MPH speed limits; two-way traffic on these lanes is problematic. Introduction of these measures should not be too expensive.

Our most significant concern is accessing the A146, particularly when driving towards Norwich. At peak times the cars, minibuses and buses can be queuing at the junction. This junction has been the site of several serious accidents, at least one resulting in a fatality. The Norwich Road at the junction needs widening to accommodate two lanes of traffic, as drivers trying to turn left are unable to when blocked by drivers waiting to cross over to head for Norwich. Having looked at the lay of the land on this particular junction, we feel it would be ideal to have a flyover! Probably not a cheap option! Currently, many people anxious about crossing the A146 will head along the back road (Langley Road) through Langley, Claxton, Rockland St Mary etc. into Norwich, making that road also very busy. Many Langley minibuses choose this route. Indeed, few people would want to drive a minibus full of children across the A146 at 5 pm.

Flooding has always been an issue on the Langley Road. Development on a field destroys the natural drainage of surface water. Introducing a human-made drainage system directs the water to an area that is already at or approaching full capacity. We understand that the only way to alleviate this problem would be to install a larger capacity pipe from Langley Road to the river, this though could cause problems at Loddon Staithe & would need careful investigation & research prior to installation.

We are unsure whether the local schools, Doctors and Dentist would cope with an increased population in Loddon and Chedgrave. Have there been discussions, and what were the findings?

We have been very fortunate to have spent the last thirty-plus years living in the house on XXXX, Chedgrave. We have enjoyed the fantastic views across the fields to Langley, but of course, one cannot buy a view! We overlook the high bank (2.5 m -3 m), which appears to be part of the area proposed for new housing. Unless this bank and field area (the mound) are reduced considerably, we shall be overlooking any dwelling there, and they would be looking directly into our bedrooms and the bungalows in the Lane. We fully realise that new houses are needed, but sites should be chosen, or adapted in such a way that they do not encroach on people’s privacy. Will that bank and land be reduced considerably?

In the Greater Norwich Local Plan Notes for GNLP0463, it states that “If access is to be via Snows Lane, then it will need to be widened and a footway provided.” How is this widening going to be achieved? Will the Landowners land be used? Or would the land be taken from the front gardens of the residents?
The plan is for around 20 houses now, but it is clear that if this development goes ahead, many more homes will be built on this site in the future.
Before undertaking any new housing development/s, it is crucial to make improvements to existing infrastructure and local amenities to meet the needs of residents, whose numbers have increased over recent years.