There is Plan B

Published: Wed, 03/29/23

Norfolk County Council seem to be on pause with NWL road. There is still some uncertainty that the government will provide funding (this is 85% costs - before any overruns).

The opposition are asking what will be done if funding isn't granted - as there doesn't appear to be any plan B.

But sunken cost in a project don't justify pushing ahead. Government funding might get NCC out of a hole in the very short term, but the chances that they will get this project in on budget are vanishingly small.

Norfolk tax payers would have to pick up the costs of any overruns - and looking at what happened NDR and current inflation in the construction industry that could be getting on for £100 million.

We want to stop the project now. So we are doing 2 things:

Persuading the Dept of Transport to not fund the NWL. We have been sending letters pointing out all the legal issues with this road. Next we will be paying them a visit - see events below.
We will be making sure that if funding is granted and Norfolk CC go for Planning permission that it will go to an Inquiry.

For this we will need your help! We need to show a Planning Inspector that there is considerable opposition to the road.

Firstly we want to present the petition - and we want numbers to be over 15,000. We are nearly there, but need a final push!

Please share and talk to your friends family and neighbours and ask them to sign.

The petition

Then we are going to need your help with putting in objections - we will share lots of help on this if it happens.

Please come along to one of our upcoming events too!

The Stop the Wensum Link team

Events

The Big One 21-24th April London

This is big event organised by Extinction Rebellion initially but involving many groups like WWF, and Friends of the Earth. It is strictly non-disruptive, and family friendly. No gluing or arrests! It is relying on big numbers to be impactful only.

Fri 21st April

Members of SWL will be picketing the Dept of Transport with other local anti-road groups, and TAN.

We will be presenting the petition and a letter asking them not to find the NWL

Saturday 22nd is Earth Day -- An enormous celebration & family-friendly march for biodiversity! Costumes, music, giant puppets for the annual international day of environmental awareness.

There will be SWL members going - and may be bat costumes/puppets!

Please reply to this email if you would like to join us in London on either day.

Picketing at DfT will be resumed on 24th April.

Actions/Outreach meeting 11th April 7pm

We really need all hands on deck for awareness raising and fundraising. If you were thinking of getting involved - now is the time!

Zoom link to join

Untamed Tales II Stories for the Protection of Nature

29th April 8pm

Stories about nature from five amazing storytellers. Raising money for Dr Andrew Boswell's legal challenge to the A47 road projects

Buy tickets

Support at the High Court 10th May - for Dr. Andrew Boswell's cases against A47 dualling.

Details TBC

9/11 Lower Goat Lane
Norwich Norfolk NR2 1EL
UNITED KINGDOM

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