Norwich e-cargo bikes in £170k boost for city businesses

Norfolk County Council has successfully applied for £170,000 to provide 10 vehicles, as part of efforts to cut pollution in the city centre.

Businesses will be able to borrow the e-cargo bikes - electrically assisted bicycles, tricycles or quadricycles which can carry cargo - to deliver packages to homes and other business premises.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Jamie Honeywood Archant Norwich Norfolk)

Graham Plant, the Conservative-controlled council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "We’re thrilled to have been successful in our bid which will give small businesses access to 10 e-cargo bikes in Norwich city centre.

"Taking diesel vehicles off the roads cuts air pollution. The bikes working five days a week could cut nitrogen dioxide and carbon emissions equivalent to those produced by around 10 vans each week.

"The bikes will be fitted with equipment to allow the precise emissions savings to be calculated."

The money has been secured from the government's £10.3m Air Quality Grant pot of cash for local councils to prevent pollution.

Jamie Osborn, Green Norfolk county councillor (Image: Jamie Osborn)

Jamie Osborn, Green county councillor for Mancroft ward, which covers the city centre, said: "This is a fantastic step towards helping make Norwich a greener city.

"Taking cars and vans off the roads and replacing them with e-bikes will have health benefits, improve access for local businesses, and cut pollution."

Council bosses hope the bikes will be available from August this year for the two-year pilot project.

A separate application for £200,000, sought so that children could use hand-held monitors to check air quality outside their schools, was not successful.

A council spokeswoman said officers will look for other funding opportunities so that project can happen in the future.