Confirmation of funding for West Winch Access Road expected to ‘unlock the potential of West Norfolk’

The biggest housing scheme in West Norfolk has received a major boost after funding for a key access road was confirmed.

In a huge milestone expected to “unlock the potential” of the borough, an outline business case for a new £109million road linking the A47 to the A10 has been approved by the Department for Transport.

This is a big step forward for the West Winch Growth Project, which will see around 4,000 homes built in the village in the coming years - with the first 1,100 of those currently awaiting approval.

On Tuesday, an email from Rod Kelly, project manager at the county council for the West Winch Housing Access Road, said: “I am writing to let you know that the Department for Transport (DfT) has approved our Outline Business Case (OBC) for West Winch Housing Access Road.

“This is great news that provides a funding commitment of £90.4million from central government, subject to statutory approvals and approval of a final Full Business Case, due to be submitted later this year.

“OBC approval also enables us to draw down some of that funding in advance of these processes being completed, to assist with the development costs.”

North West Norfolk MP James Wild said: “I’ve long campaigned for funding to be approved for the A10 West Winch Housing Access Road working with the local councils which is essential to unlock thousands of homes, boost economic growth, and improve safety and reduce congestion.

“In recent weeks, I have challenged ministers to reaffirm support after doubts were raised about its approval.

“Therefore this confirmation of approval of funding is a very welcome decision and represents further major investment into West Norfolk. I will continue to work with to make sure the full business case and scheme are delivered.”

Cllr Jim Moriarty, West Norfolk Council’s cabinet member for planning and licensing, added: “This is fantastic news. The Housing Access Road is a vital part of the infrastructure to support both the development of new homes at West Winch and our plans for the economic sustainability of this area.

“This road will really help us to unlock the potential of West Norfolk.

“We have always known that we had a strong case and we assured people that we were more likely to get a positive outcome if we followed the correct process.”

Villagers have previously organised protests along the A10 in West Winch in a bid to have the access road confirmed.

They cited accounts of children “dodging” HGVs and disabled residents being unable to cross safely when they called for it to be put in place before any housing is built.

Cllr Alex Kemp, who represents the village on the county council and took part in those protests, has now said: “I am glad that all our lobbying had paid off and that the Government has listened to this council's compelling Outline Business Case, which underlined the high accident rate on the A10 in West Winch, a route which will reach capacity by 2027.

“We look forward to the diversion of all the through traffic out of West Winch as soon as possible, with the bypass.

“The A10 has long been a blight on residents' lives, but will become a quiet village road, making active travel safe, with pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Graham Plant, the county council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, says the authority has been waiting since last October for the announcement.

He could not confirm an exact timeline for the Final Business Case being submitted, but said some of the new funding will go towards completing it.

“It is really good stuff for the area,” he said.

“It is providing the infrastructure before the (house) building, which is very unusual but is certainly one of those things which is needed.

“We are very pleased with the offer that has come forward, and now we will get on with providing for West Norfolk.”

David Allfrey, assistant director for infrastructure delivery at norfolk county council, said: “It’s great news that our Outline Business Case has been approved, it’s a key milestone on a major infrastructure project.

“This road is needed to support planned housing and economic growth in west Norfolk, but it also provides a solution to long-standing traffic issues on the A10.”