Mr Wilby responded that the council had been through a “very thorough” assessment and public consultation to determine the best solution for traffic problems west of Norwich.
Labour councillor Dave Rowntree questioned if the council should be looking at alternatives for the NWL
- Credit: Archant
He added: “I speak regularly to local parish councils in the area to the west of Norwich, who have a very good understanding of the day-to-day issues their communities face, and the overwhelming message I get from them is that they want us to get on and build the Norwich Western Link as soon as possible.”
The route of the Western Link.
- Credit: Norfolk County Council
When the Norwich Northern Distributor Road was originally mooted, almost 20 years ago, council bosses wanted it to link to the A47 to the west of Norwich.
But that idea was dropped due to the cost of crossing the Wensum Valley, a site of special scientific interest, with Natural England and the Environment Agency raising concerns.
So the NDR currently stops at the A1067 Fakenham Road.
But the council always made clear it could revive that so-called missing link to the A47 and, in 2016, it was made one of the Conservative-controlled council s priorities.
Norwich Market pictured on February 8, 2021.
- Credit: Chris Goreham
It has also stopped all its school services, along with Sanders Coaches.
Buses will only travel along main roads on First s 23/23A services, and towards Heartsease the service will not be stopping at the Heartsease estate.
⚠️ SERVICE UPDATE - 40/40A/41/X41⚠️
Our Charcoal Line services have been suspended until further notice due to the adverse weather conditions.
We apologise for the inconvenience. FirstNorwich (@FirstNorwich) February 8, 2021
The 13 service will be starting and ending at Queens Road and will not serve any estates, while the 38A service will begin at end at Long Stratton.
The A1101 at Welney is closed due to flooding. Picture: Ian Burt
- Credit: IAN BURT
An investigation has begun into the causes of and response to the catastrophic Christmas flooding.
Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment and waste Andy Grant said an additional £300,000 had been put in place for urgent flood repairs with a further £250,000 in revenue.
There is also £1.5m in the Capital Budget project.
The flood water under the rail bridge on Green Lane between Great Plumstead and Thorpe End.
- Credit: Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Copyright: Archant 2021
Mr Grant told Wednesday s scrutiny committee the amount of rainfall in December was unprecedented , with a month s-worth of rain in 24 hours in some places.