Hi
NCC pushing ahead despite rising costs
There was disappointing news on the 4th July: Norfolk County council
agreed to continue with the Norwich Western Link despite rising costs. The new cost (so far) is £251 million, up from the
previous estimate of £198 million.
SWL have long thought that this project would cost at least £300 million, and with construction inflation rates and cost of borrowing this is looking increasingly likely.
Central Government funds have NOT been confirmed, and SWL are highlighting the legal problems and environmental issues to the Dept of Transport. NCC will be still be asking for 15% of the total cost, so they will be asking for more at a time when there is belt-tightening going on.
New Collective against the NWL
On a more positive note we are excited that the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and other major groups with concerns about the impact of the NWL are uniting in opposition by
forming a collective. This should make reaching both decision makers and the public more effective. It's great that so many groups are stepping up to say no, this is a road too far.
Watch this space!
Update on survey work in the Wensum Valley
Noisy equipment is being used close to bat maternity roosts and nesting birds. This has been reported to the police as a potential wildlife crime, and investigations are ongoing. We are pursuing Norfolk CC to delay survey work until after the breeding season. The SWL legal team are working tirelessly on this!
As no nesting/breeding bird survey has been published yet, we can't be sure what birds are being disturbed. This has been delayed and delayed, but our team are chasing them to report!
Petition currently at 9,500 let's get it up to 10,000!
If you haven't yet signed it - you can do
here - please share widely, we want the petition numbers to be as high as possible before any public consultation. Thankyou!
The Stop the Wensum Team
