Western Link is logical next step for NDR

When it became clear the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (as it was called at the time) would not connect to the A47 to the west of the city, some gave it a new name - the Road to Nowhere.

Environmental constraints had scuppered a true northern bypass but officers at Norfolk County Council insisted that even a three-quarters road would bring benefits.

However there remained the belief within County Hall that, once the NDR (now called the Broadland Northway) was complete, the so-called missing link could be provided.

The county council had already made that Western Link one of its priorities and will next week start consulting the public over what they want to see happen.

Given communities such as Costessey, Taverham and Weston Longville had already highlighted that the incompleteness of the NDR meant their villages would be rat-runs for drivers looking to get to the A47, one suspects there will be no shortage of support for this link.

Businesses, too, who backed the NDR to the hilt, will no doubt say this is the logical next step.

But there will also be opposition. The Wensum Valley Alliance and the Campaign to Protect Rural England have raised concerns about the environmental impact.

Most would probably agree that a link is needed, but the solution will have to be carefully formulated and people's views considered.