An eye-catching scheme aimed at improving cycling along a busy route in Norwich is being trialled over the next year.

Large cycle logos have been marked out, with road centre lines removed and cycle-friendly covers put on drainage gullies along Thorpe Road, between Harvey Lane and its Carrow Road junction.

The project is part of the Norwich Connect2 network, which will link the city centre and east Norwich with Whitlingham and the Broads. It is to be funded with �37,000 from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).

These measures, developed in consultation with Norwich Cycling Campaign and Sustrans, will remain in place for a year and their effects monitored.

Tim Mellors, the city council's principal landscape architect, said: 'Thorpe Road is an important route for cyclists, but due to the road conditions it would be difficult to provide cycle lanes.

'The scheme's new approach gives emphasis and continuity to the cycle route, while at the time reminding drivers to look out for cyclists.'

Sustrans' Connect2 – an initiative aimed at getting people walking and cycling for local journeys – was awarded �50m by the Big Lottery Fund following a public vote in December 2007.

The �8m Norwich Connect2 scheme is one of more than 70 schemes across the UK to receive partial funding as a result.

Hackney Borough Council and Cambridgeshire County Council have both trialled similar schemes and found they reduced speeding.

Nigel Brigham, Sustrans regional director for the east of England, said: 'We welcome the progress made in making Thorpe Road safer for cyclists.'

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