Alternative Norwich Western Link route hopes raised after announcement |
The money which Norfolk County Council needs from Whitehall to develop alternatives to ditched plans for the road has been stuck in limbo because of a government review.
But the Department for Transport (DfT) announced on Thursday that it had concluded that review - and that the Norwich Western Link scheme remains in its programme.
A council spokesman said: "This should mean that the funding of nearly £1m, which DfT agreed ‘in principle’ last July, will be released to us.
"In turn, this means we can continue with our work to assess potential options for a Norwich Western Link, with the intention of arriving at a shortlist of options and then carrying out a public consultation."
The council said it could not yet confirm when it expects to be able to present that shortlist to the public for consultation.
The Conservative-controlled council had pulled previous proposals for the road, to connect the A47 to the A1067, after Natural England objected for environmental reasons.
These included the impact of the 3.9-mile road, which the council has already spent more than £55m on, on protected barbastelle bats.
The government subsequently said it would give £960,000 towards the £1.43m options assessment work to come up with an alternative, but the award of the money was stalled pending the review.
Council leaders have previously said a new road, on a different route, is likely to be among the proposals which could be put forward.
However, the clock is ticking for Norfolk County Council to come up with fresh proposals for the road.
The county council is due to be abolished as part of a major shake-up of local councils, which will see new authorities created in 2028.
And, after 2028, major road schemes are likely to be the preserve of the new Norfolk and Suffolk mayor.