Efforts to get one of the city's park and ride bus services reopened have been stepped up as more than 1,000 people joined those who want it reinstated.

The Postwick Park and Ride, to the east of Norwich, was closed in 2020 to make way for a Covid testing site.

But while all other park and rides around the city have reopened, Norfolk County Council have kept the Postwick site closed.

Norwich Evening News: Postwick Park and Ride initially closed in 2020 to make way for a Covid testing sitePostwick Park and Ride initially closed in 2020 to make way for a Covid testing site (Image: Mike Page)

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Now a petition created by Postwick Parish Council has received more than 1,000 signatures from supporters calling for Norfolk County Council to re-open the park and ride.

Comments from those signing the petition have included describing it as "a vital service for the east of Norwich especially now with the huge number of new housing developments".

Norwich Evening News: Broadland district councillor Eleanor LamingBroadland district councillor Eleanor Laming (Image: Archant)

Another said it would be "common sense to re-open because the city is often gridlocked during the week and parking costs are getting ridiculous".

Eleanor Laming, the Green councillor for the Brundall district on Broadland District Council, said: "The number of people signing this petition shows that there is clearly a great deal of support for this campaign.

"I'm concerned that the current lease is due to expire this autumn.  

Norwich Evening News: Postwick Park and Ride, located in the east of Norwich, NR6Postwick Park and Ride, located in the east of Norwich, NR6 (Image: Newsquest)

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"Norfolk County Council says that it is committed to increasing provision of active travel  and if the service were to be lost, it would be a step backwards in terms of service provision, along with the aim of reducing the county’s carbon emissions.  

"There is also the question of what would become of the site if it was no longer used for the park and ride."

Norwich Evening News: Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transportGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Archant)

In a joint statement for the county council, Eric Vardy, the cabinet member for environment and waste, and Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "We have every intention of re-opening the site once passenger numbers on the park and ride service, as a whole, have recovered to 75pc of pre-Covid levels - which will ensure that we have sufficient funds to run all the sites."