Newmarket Road, Norwich

Description

The following bus priority measures make up the scheme:

• The inbound carriageway has been realigned to provide a dedicated bus lane alongside the existing inbound general traffic lane
• The hatching to the nearside lane, which was previously installed as part of a local safety scheme to reduce approach speeds, has been removed to create a bus lane.

• The operational times of the entire inbound bus lane have been changed to 24 hours a day; therefore the benefits of the original local safety scheme have been retained, whilst the benefits to cyclists and public transport has been provided for an unlimited period.

Outcomes

The scheme has improved bus journey time reliability for up to 26 buses per hour. Newmarket Road now operates a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week bus lane for its entire length.

Funding

GNDP – £480,000

Riverside, Norwich, NR1 1ED

Description

The Lady Julian Bridge is an integrated cycle/walkway swing bridge (to maintain the core navigation routes to/from the city) connecting the Riverside Complex and the historic King Street in Norwich. The Lady Julian Bridge has been a long established priority for Norwich. The original developers of the Riverside site and subsequent owners provided significant developer contributions to the project (£1.7m), however this only equated to around 70% of the total project cost.

 The GNDP successfully bid for £800,000 from EEDA, and provided a further £75,000 from the Growth Point Funding to enable the project to be delivered. The bridge has been operational since August 2009, and is well-used by both cyclists and pedestrians.

GNDP Funding:

£75,000

• Extension of the bus lane on Grapes Hill by widening the West side of the road on the outbound approach to Dereham Road
• Reducing all-traffic waiting times
• Improving bus flow and reliability of service during peak times
• Levered £185,000 of additional funding into the partnership through a successful bid to East of England Development Agency

Location

Grapes Hill, Norwich, NR2 4HH

Description

The key business, leisure and retail centres within the City Centre are well served by a number of radial bus services, linking these areas to communities in and around the city centre. The provision of a high-quality, reliable integrated public transport system remains a key focus of the GNDP, both as part of a longer-term aim to encourage modal shift, and to support the 30% of households in the area who do not currently have access to a private motor vehicle.

This project is one of a number of proposed interventions to improve bus-flow around the city centre. The Grapes Hill / Dereham Road intersection was identified as a priority after consultation with bus operators and reviewing bus performance statistics, the problems are largely linked to the existing road layout.

Outcomes

• Reduced congestion and improved accessibility for local residents
• Improved reliability and punctuality of all bus services using this route

Funding

GNDP £20,000

Dereham Road, Norwich (Junction Longwater Lane to Grapes Hill)

Description

A key proposed feature of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, providing up-to-date real-time information on the bus services, indicating the bus services running from the stop, information on destination and identifying disabled-user services.

This is a part of a package of ‘off-bus’ public transport improvements to key bus & BRT routes, including ticketless hop-on-hop-off services & bus shelter upgrades along the route, improving the comfort & reliability for all end users, and providing significant improvements for disabled users.

Outcomes

• Real-time bus information displays installed along key radial routes
• Bus shelter improvements
• Ticketless bus patronage

Funding

GNDP £18,000

St Georges Street / St Andrews Plain,
Norwich

Description

Environmental improvement works have been carried out to enhance public space and create an exciting area of cultural and historic importance within Norwich. The project was split into two phases, the first concentrating on St Andrew’s Plain and the second phase covering St George’s Street, Playhouse Square and Princes Street. The project included the closure of St George’s Street to through-traffic, allowing the enhancement of the area for pedestrian and cycle access. A public square has been created which links St George’s Park with the Playhouse and accessibility has been improved through the repaving of St George’s Street, linking to St Andrew’s Plain.

As a result of this project the area is a safer, more attractive and accessible public spaces for both local residents and visitors.

GNDP Funding:

£117,000

St Augustine’s Street,
Norwich

Description

St Augustine’s Street was a narrow shopping street carrying large amounts of two-way traffic between Norwich Inner Ring road and routes northward via Aylsham and Drayton roads. The area often got congested causing poor air quality.

The complete traffic gyratory system was in full operation from 27 November 2011 and comprises of the following elements:

• A new one-way traffic system involving five existing roads and one new link road
• A 20-mph speed limit along St Augustine’s Street
• Traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings
• Closure of Bakers Road to vehicles at its junction with St Augustine’s Street
• Streetscape enhancements on St Augustine’s St, including narrowing the carriageway and widening the pavements
• Streetscape and landscaping enhancements, including a number of street trees and new planted areas. 

 The scheme has led to a complete transformation of the area, providing more space, cleaner air for shoppers, and a far more attractive environment.

GNDP Funding

£2,400,000