Protest march against Norwich Western Link road this weekend

Giant puppets will feature in the one-mile march, which has been organised by campaign group Stop The Wensum Link ahead of Norfolk County Council lodging plans for the route to its own planning committee.

Supporters of the road, including business leaders and people living in villages such as Weston Longville, have said it is essential to boost the county's economy and stop rural roads from being clogged with traffic.

An artist's impression of the Norwich Western Link (Image: Newsquest)

But campaigners argue the 3.9-mile route, which would connect the Norwich Northern Distributor Road to the A47 west of Norwich, will cause more pollution, increase carbon emissions, encourage more car use and damage wildlife habitats, including rare barbastelle bats.

Critics have also said Conservative-controlled County Hall is taking a huge financial gamble with the road.

Campaigners against the Norwich Western Link (Image: Neil Didsbury)

The government has agreed to bankroll £213m of the cost and council leaders hope Whitehall can be persuaded to part with more, to cover £251m of the bill.

People joining the march, which will leave from near Wensum Park in Norwich at 12pm on Saturday, are encouraged to make their own bats to 'fly' in the protest.

READ MORE: Norwich Western Link risk to bats prompts war of words

The marchers will then head to Norwich City Hall, where there will be speeches between about 1.30pm and 3pm.

Nick Acheson (Image: Newsquest library)

Speakers will include Nick Acheson, ambassador for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norwich South Labour MP Clive Lewis MP and Dr Fiona Haworth, associate priest of St Peter Mancroft Church.

Norwich South MP Clive Lewis (Image: Chris McAndrew)

Stop The Wensum Link is part of wider coalition of groups opposing the road, including Norfolk Wildlife Trust, The Woodland Trust, CRPE Norfolk and Norfolk Friends of the Earth.

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig previously warned Norwich would be "left behind" if the road, which includes a viaduct over the Wensum Valley, is not built.