Calls have been made for the footpaths and junction near Norwich's railway station to be improved, amid concerns over safety and the impression given to visitors to the city.

Norwich Evening News: Narrow pavements on Riverside Road for pedestrians at the approach to Norwich Station.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Narrow pavements on Riverside Road for pedestrians at the approach to Norwich Station.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

The junction where Riverside Road meets Thorpe Road has been branded 'unsafe and unpleasant' by Green councillors on Norwich City Council, who want to see changes made.

Labour leaders at City Hall agree the junction could do with improvement and have asked officers to carry out a review – but say tackling the issues would be tricky.

Denise Carlo, Green city councillor for Nelson ward, who highlighted the concerns at a recent council meeting, said: 'The current junction is dominated by high volumes of sometimes fast moving traffic. It is unsafe and unpleasant and crossing times for pedestrians and cyclists are limited.

'The footpaths lining Riverside Road at the junction with Foundry Bridge are very narrow and provide inadequate space for waiting pedestrians, cyclists, families with prams, people with dogs and wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

'The junction creates a very poor impression of Norwich for people departing or arriving by train or visiting the Riverside area. It ought to be a pleasant area of Norwich, next to the river and close to the grand Thorpe Railway Station and its forecourt.'

Mike Stonard, cabinet member for environment, development and transport, said he would also like to see the junction improved and promised to ask officers to review the issues.

He said: 'As councillor Carlo observes, there is no doubt that the pedestrian experience at this location... could be made better.'

But he warned: 'To bring about further improvement would not be straightforward. It is also not an investment priority within the Norwich Area Transportation Strategy at the present time.'

He said to reduce road space for cars would increase congestion and queuing and displace traffic into neighbouring residential streets.

And he said tackling the problem might need 'land take' and major works to Foundry bridge, which would be very costly.

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