Update! Latest on the Newmarket Road cycle/bus lane campaign

Published on Mon 7th Apr 2008

Judith Lubbock

The latest on the campaign to stop HGVs using the Bus/Cycle Lane on Newmarket Road.

Dear Editor,

The issue of allowing some HGVs from a Fright Consolidation Depot to use the Newmarket Road bus/cycle lane has not gone away.

Following a meeting in March when I presented a 500 named petition to the Joint Highways Committee objecting to the proposal it was decided to delay the experiment until after their next meeting of 22nd May when a further report will be considered outlining all the objections received.

This delay was good news as it also allowed the City Council to debate the issue. Although Labour Councillors abstained there was support from other parties which allowed the motion 'not to allow HGVs in the Newmarket Road bus/cycle lane' to be passed.

The task now is to convince the County Council of the mistake they will be making if they allow this experiment to go ahead. They will be sending out the message that retail freight transport is more important than cyclists, that a few minutes saved on transporting goods into Norwich is worth a possible accident or even fatality. (HGVs are responsible for 50% of cycle fatalities in cities) It also makes a mockery of the aims of the Norwich Area Transport Strategy which are to reduce accidents and to give cyclists preference over other forms of transport.

Norwich currently has something of a reputation for being a walking and cycling city - that reputation is now at risk.

Further letters of objection can be sent to David Sprunt of Norfolk County Council's Planning and Transport Department at County Hall.

Yours sincerely

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Eaton

Judith Lubbock