Norwich's park-and-ride network could be significantly cut back when a new contract for the service is awarded, opposition councillors have warned.

They fear Norfolk County Council may be using a recently-launched public survey about the facility's future as a "precursor" to introduce the reductions.

The authority's deal with Konectbus to run the service comes to an end next year and officials are preparing to re-tender the contract.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk County Council's contract with Konectbus to provide park-and-ride services is coming to an endNorfolk County Council's contract with Konectbus to provide park-and-ride services is coming to an end (Image: Submitted)

Passenger numbers are currently about half of what they were before the pandemic and the council has already issued a 'use it or lose it' warning over Postwich Park and Ride site, where numbers have fallen most sharply. 

Eastern Daily Press: Postwick Park and Ride sitePostwick Park and Ride site (Image: Newsquest)

Council leaders, who need to plug a £46.2m hole in the authority's budget for 2023/24, insist the retendering is not a budget-saving exercise.

But they add it is too early to say what value the new contract will be.

People are currently making between 250 to 350 journeys each day on the 503 service from the Postwick site, while the 501 from Thickthorn to the airport has 700 to 800 journeys per day from each site.

The 502 from Harford to Sprowston has between 500 to 600 journeys each day per site.

Eastern Daily Press: Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group at Norfolk County CouncilSteve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group at Norfolk County Council (Image: Archant)

Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group at County Hall, said: "The park and rides should be promoted not questioned.

"They help reduce congestion, emissions, pollution and wear and tear on roads. The more people use them the more they wash their face financially.

"This low-key survey feels loaded in the context of the Postwick 'use it or lose it' nonsense.

"What we need is passengers, promotion and positive leadership not a spurious survey that could be the precursor to shortsighted cuts."

The survey is at https://orlo.uk/YIr7o and runs until Saturday, December 16.

Eastern Daily Press: Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructureGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Jamie Honeywood)

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "The Norwich park and ride is an important part of our transport strategy and the renewal of this contract gives us an opportunity to take stock and find out what residents would like to see from the service in the future.

"I would urge anybody who currently uses the service, as well as those who don’t, to fill in the survey and give us their feedback as this will help us when we come to decide on a new contract."