Norwich Green Party want reduced speed limits after death

Calls for reduced speed limits and segregated cycle paths are just some of the proposals put forward by Green city councillors. 

But County Hall has blasted back saying it has already sunk a total of £49m into improving the roads for cyclists and pedestrians.

On August 20, police were called to Newmarket Road after a cyclist was hit by a red Renault Laguna.

Jane Blackwell, who was aged in her 60s and lived in Hethersett, died at the scene.

Jane Blackwell died on August 20, after a collision with a red Renault Laguna, in Newmarket Road (Image: Simon Parkin, Newsquest)

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And it is not the first tragedy on the city's roads this year. 

On February 27, 38-year-old Ben Steward died after a collision with a white VW Golf on the northbound carriageway of the city's outer ring road near Earlham Cemetery.

The deaths, as well as a cyclist being seriously injured after the revamp of the Kett's Hill roundabout was completed, have sparked Green councillors to propose "three major areas of change". 

Liam Calvert, Green councillor for Wensum ward, said: "Another death on our streets is a tragedy that will ripple across communities for years to come.

Green Party councillor for Wensum Ward, Liam Calvert (Image: Newsquest)

"So we are calling for three major areas of change.

"Firstly, we need high-quality routes physically separating those on bikes from the dangers posed by vehicles.

"Secondly, we want to see urban street limits of 20mph, especially where full segregation has not yet been achieved, with a significantly increased enforcement of these limits.

Calls for a reduced speed limit and separate cycle paths have been proposed after the death of a cyclist (Image: Newsquest)

"Finally, a reduction in traffic on smaller residential streets where people live, so that they can leave their homes without the safety concerns that high traffic volumes create.

"People shouldn't have to fear for the safety of loved ones as they make everyday trips across the city."

Norfolk County Council received £46m as part of the Transforming Cities project between 2019 and 2020, with an additional £3m thanks to the secretary of state for transport's Active Travel Budget this year.

The council say the funding has gone towards work on bus lanes, walking facilities and general safety - all contributing towards cycle improvements around the city.

Green Party councillor for Nelson ward, Paul Neale (Image: Submitted)

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Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "We're sorry to hear about the death of anyone on our roads.

"We are constantly working to improve highway safety, whenever we receive funding to improve the network.

"Safety features heavily within our recently approved Local Transport Plan and also in this year's Road Safety Strategy. 

"It is also why we created the new Road Safety Community Fund, which is seeing numerous safety improvements implemented around the county. 

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Archant)

"Combined with Local Member Funding, this enables councillors to prioritise and fund improvements.

"In terms of improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, not only are we in the final stages of implementing phase one and two of the Transforming Cities funding, but we were recently awarded £3m of Active Travel funding for schemes around the county. 

"This is three times as much as the previous allocation, which is a very welcome addition."

Jane Blackwell, who died near the junction of Albermarle Road in Newmarket Road, after a collision with a red Renault Laguna on Sunday, August 20 (Image: Newsquest)

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Green Party councillor for Nelson ward, Paul Neale, added: "Each life-changing injury and life lost will have had a huge impact on individuals, families and communities.

"There must be serious action taken to prevent more lives being lost on our streets.

"This means talking to and working with communities, organisations and campaigners, at an early stage to ensure all existing and new travel schemes are safe, with rules properly enforced."

Flowers and messages were left in tribute at the scene of the incident, in Newmarket Road (Image: Newsquest)

The millions spent on cycle paths

Since receiving the £46m Transforming Cities funding, Norfolk County Council have proposed a number of improvements around the city for non-motorists.

In April 2022, changes were made to Ipswich Road as part of a Transport for Norwich scheme, worth £100,000, including cutting the speed limit to 20mph.

In September 2022, Norfolk County Council and Transport for Norwich proposed a cycle track, pedestrian walkway and new zebra crossings, for Mayfly Way in Bowthorpe, which would use up a slice of the funding.

Details of a proposed £500,0000 project to improve transport links between a village on the outskirts of the city and the Norwich Research Park were revealed in January 2023.

It would see the construction of an off-carriageway, shared-use cycling and walking path along the western side of Colney Lane, from the junction of Braymeadow Lane to the bridge over the A47.

In May this year, there were also plans for a £4m renovation, which would see a new bus, taxi and cycle lane leading out of the city in Dereham Road with wider crossings built.