Highway improvements on the cards in West Norfolk thanks to authority's parish partnership scheme
Dozens of communities in West Norfolk are set to benefit from highway improvements, thanks to a county council initiative.
Norfolk County Council’s parish partnership scheme invites communities to bid for cash for improvements such as vehicle-activated signs, bus shelters, “trod” footpaths and village gateways.
This year, the county council is set to provide £401,000, and with match-funding from parish and town councils, and, subject to a decision from the safety camera partnership, this could bring total investment up to £919,000 in 153 schemes across Norfolk.
The schemes in West Norfolk range from a car park in Northwold, the value of works for which is £19,431, to lining in Wereham at a cost of £200.
In North Wootton, £3,732 is being considered for kerbing, with £4,700 to be set aside for surfacing in Pentney.
Bus shelters are also on the cards for Lynn, Feltwell, and Terrington St John, while village gateways are lined up for East Rudham, Great Massingham, Harpley, Ringstead, Snettisham, South Creake and Syderstone.
Trod schemes – simplified, low-cost footways, often constructed using recycled road surface material – are expected in Bircham, Great Cressingham, Marham, Snettisham, Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John, Walpole Highway, Watlington and West Winch.
Meanwhile, vehicle-activated sign schemes are set to be approved for Boughton, Clenchwarton, Docking, Downham, Foulden, Gayton, Grimston, Lynn, Marham, Mundford, Outwell, Watlington, Weasenham, Weeting, Wimbotsham and Wormegay.
Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: “I’m delighted with the popularity of this scheme, which enables communities to identify the highway improvements they would most like to see.
“Our money attracts match funding from town and parish councils and the safety camera partnership, enabling us to invest more than £900,000 across Norfolk.”
The scheme was launched in September 2011, and since then, there have been 324 bids for parish partnership schemes in West Norfolk.
The council’s cabinet is recommended to approve the schemes when it meets on Monday.
