£18m Attleborough relief road dream still alive as Norfolk County Council agrees to look into loan
A graphic from the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan, showing the proposed link road to the south of the town. Picture: Attleborough Town Council - Credit: Archant
An £18m link road to ease congestion around Attleborough is another step closer after a Norfolk County Council (NCC) committee agreed to investigate loaning money for the project.
Cliff Jordan, leader of Norfolk County Council. Pic: Submitted - Credit: Submitted
The council's policy and resources committee today (Monday, March 27) agreed at a meeting at County Hall to develop a proposal for the loan, which would link the A11 London Road and Old Buckenham Road.
The loan would be made to development promotion company Ptarmigan Land, which is the promoter of a scheme to add another 4,000 homes to the market town.
Simon George, NCC's executive director of finance, said the money would come from the council's estimated £120m-£150m in cash reserves.
Mr George said the loan could be made with a 3.5pc-4pc interest rate, well above the 1pc usually offered by banks.
Councillor Bill Borrett, committee member, was in favour of the idea, and said: 'Attleborough needs this road and the county council can get a proper return.
'It's something that's going to benefit everybody - the ratepayers of Norfolk and the residents of Attleborough.'
Council leader Cliff Jordan, who chaired the meeting, added: 'It really is important to Attleborough.'
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Ptarmigan approached NCC for the loan so construction could start on the road before the first of the new homes planned for the south of the town.
Mr George said: 'The proposal is essentially to change the order of how the development happens.'
The firm said previously said they were not able to begin building the road 'until a significant number of new houses have been built.'
Attleborough Town Council has been pushing for the link road, as traffic snarl-ups and access to the town are already a major concern.
Jeremy Burton, town mayor, said going ahead with the new homes before the link road was built would bring the town centre to a standstill.
The project was a major issue at a public meeting about traffic around Attleborough held at the town hall in January.
A detailed plan for the loan would have be approved by the council's committee, and also go before the full council, before it is offered.
What do you think? Email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk
