A new bus route will be introduced next month to offer services to people who live in new estates near Norwich.

From April 15, Konectbus will launch the City 5 service which will be used to "enhance" its current 5B Eaton to Stalham service. 

City 5 will run between Rackheath and Norwich City Centre via Salhouse Road, serving new housing developments on the route as well as parts of Rackheath village currently unserved.

Norwich Evening News: City 5 will begin operating from the middle of next monthCity 5 will begin operating from the middle of next month (Image: Konectbus)

It will also operate along Gurney Road, providing access to Mousehold Heath as well as serving Barrack Street which currently has no service.

The Monday to Saturday service will run up to every 60 minutes, with the first bus departing Rackheath at 6.45am and the last bus leaving Norwich at 6.10pm.

Konectbus, working with Norfolk County Council, hopes the new service will encourage locals to leave their cars at home and use the bus to get to work, school or the city centre. 

READ MORE: How bus services and timetables are changing from April 1

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for transport, said: "Regular and affordable bus services into our urban areas is key to getting more people to choose the bus for everyday trips and commuting."

Fran Whymark, county councillor for Rackheath added: "With the current expansion of nearby residential areas we have more and more people who need travel options to enable them to leave the car at home.  

Norwich Evening News: Councillor Graham Plant wants more people to use the bus as Rackheath growsCouncillor Graham Plant wants more people to use the bus as Rackheath grows (Image: Norfolk County Council)

"This enhancement to our local bus service will be a fantastic addition to the area and I'm sure it will be well used by residents."

City 5 is one of several public transport schemes funded by the Department for Transport as part of a £49.55 million investment awarded to Norfolk in 2022.

Around £12 million of the funding has been allocated to providing new or expanded bus routes and increasing service frequencies on key routes.