Gaywood South Liberal Democrat councillor Rob Colwell 'disappointed' King's Lynn and West Norfolk miss Active Travel funding for green travel improvements

A county councillor is "disappointed" that West Norfolk has missed out on county council funding from central government for active and greener travel improvements across the region.

Gaywood South Liberal Democrat county councillor Rob Colwell was commenting on Norfolk County Council (NCC) being awarded £955,000 by the Department for Transport to deliver three schemes in the county.

Following a review of initial proposals by new government agency Active Travel England, the areas set to receive the funding are Norwich and two schemes in the borough of Great Yarmouth.

Out of the 11 schemes submitted, totalling £2,465,000, four were from West Norfolk

Mr Colwell said: "Sadly, we've been forgotten. I've been a councillor going on 12 months and NCC need to reassess the priorities for West Norfolk.

"To get less than 40 per cent of what we sought and West Norfolk to be completely forgotten, I'm disappointed.

"Last year we were told this was an absolute moment for people to switch journeys to cycling and walking.

"I'm really worried about the A149 around the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. At the moment it's so dangerous for cyclists and walkers to cross."

Four West Norfolk schemes were submitted:

• A149 at Sandringham, improvement to walking and cycling crossing on National Cycle Route 1 with the A149, £250,000;

• Hunstanton A149 Cromer Road from Lighthouse Lane to Golf Course Road, widening of existing footway in existing 30mph speed limit, £150,000;

• Footpaths at Dersingham FP16 and Ingoldisthorpe FP7, surface improvements and path widening to create an all season, accessible, off-road route for walkers (including users with mobility issues) and cyclists, £450,000;

• Lynn A1078 around Hamburg Way, a segregated toucan to link routes to Lynnsport, £235,000.

The Government’s new executive agency Active Travel England, led by Olympian Chris Boardman, will oversee the delivery of 134 schemes, backed by £161 million, which include new footways, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings across 46 local authorities outside London.

Councillor Lana Hempsall, Norfolk County Council’s member champion for sustainable transport said: “I’m delighted Active Travel England have approved our initial proposals.

“All of our Active Travel programme supports our goals as a council to reduce congestion on our roads and tackle the effects of climate change through improved access to alternative means of travel.”

All three schemes include the provision of new mandatory cycle lanes, as well as improvements to crossings and junctions for those travelling on foot, making it easier and cheaper for people to choose active and green ways of getting around while better connecting communities.