Policy 4 - Strategic Infrastructure

Policy 4 - Strategic Infrastructure

Strategic infrastructure improvements will be undertaken to support timely delivery of the Greater Norwich Local Plan and the wider growth needs of the area. Key elements will be:

Transport

Transport improvements will support and embrace new technologies and develop the role of Norwich as the regional capital, support strategic growth in the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor, improve access to market towns and rural areas and promote sustainable and active transport.

Transport infrastructure will be brought forward to support the development aims of this plan. A considerable shift towards non-car modes will be promoted in the Norwich urban area over the plan period. High density growth will be focussed in locations with good access to improved sustainable transport networks and interchanges in Norwich, creating a virtuous cycle where clean transport is prioritised, less use is made of cars and space is used more efficiently and attractively.

This will be achieved by:

  • Implementation of the Transport for Norwich Strategy including:
    • significant improvements to the bus, cycling and walking networks to promote modal shift;
    • developing the role of the park and ride system;
    • changing attitudes to travel;
    • delivery of the Norwich Western Link road.
  • Enhancement of the Major Road Network including provision of the A140 Long Stratton bypass.
  • Protection of the function of strategic transport routes (corridors of movement).
  • Supporting improvements to the A47, including delivery of the Blofield to North Burlingham, Thickthorn and Easton to East Tuddenham improvements being progressed by Highways England.
  • Promoting enhancement of rail services, including improved journey times and reliability to London and Cambridge, supporting the East-West Rail link and innovative use of the local rail network.
  • Continued investigation of and support for rail freight opportunities.
  • Supporting the growth and regional significance of Norwich Airport for both leisure and business travel to destinations across the UK and beyond.
  • Continuing to improve public transport accessibility to and between main towns and key service centres, taking account of Norfolk County Council’s market towns network improvement strategies.

Other Strategic Infrastructure

The Greater Norwich local authorities and partners including utility companies will work together in relation to the timely delivery of improvements to infrastructure, including that set out in appendix 1 and to:

  • The energy supply network including increased capacity at primary substations at Cringleford, Peachman Way, Sprowston and Earlham Grid Local and/or innovative smart solutions to off-set the need for reinforcement;
  • Water supply and sewerage network improvements including the waste-water network at Whitlingham water recycling centre, the Yare Valley sewer and elsewhere to protect water quality and designated habitats;
  • health care infrastructure.

School capacity will be increased to provide for growth by improvements to existing schools and the provision of new schools as required, including primary schools on strategic development sites and a new high school in the North East growth area as identified in appendix 1.

In line with other policies in this plan, a multi-functional strategic green infrastructure network will be further developed as set out in maps 8A and B.

On-site and local infrastructure, services and facilities

Development proposals will provide on-site services and facilities and support local infrastructure capacity improvements through on-site provision, providing land and developer contributions.