A major housing development planned for the outskirts of Norfolk’s ‘bottleneck village’ will cause traffic chaos and make driving in the area dangerous, campaigners warn.

People living in Coltishall have said that the proposal to build 2,000 homes near North Walsham will result in sections of roads becoming unsafe if they are not improved.

They have reiterated their calls for a plan to support the extra traffic at a public hearing about the development, calling on the authorities, including North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk Council to address the issue.

Eastern Daily Press: Bill Musson, who is campaigning for better roads in ColtishallBill Musson, who is campaigning for better roads in Coltishall (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

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Bill Musson, who is one of the leaders of the campaign, fears the problem is not been taken seriously enough.

"It is obviously unsafe and certain sections are really dangerous with lorries, vans and buses having to drive up the pavement to pass other vehicles," he said.

"It is a bad situation now but if you build 2,000 homes and an employment area in North Walsham it will make it much worse.

"When I raised these issues at the meeting I felt fobbed off. We can't put any more load onto the road - there needs to be a plan."

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Eastern Daily Press: The Broads in ColtishallThe Broads in Coltishall (Image: Antony Kelly)

Coltishall has become known as Norfolk's bottleneck village due to problems facing drivers in the centre of the village as they travel along one of the main routes into north Norfolk from Norwich.

The traffic issues are most apparent where Norwich Road meets High Street and where the B1150 Station Road forks to the right with Great Hautbois Road to the left.

Problems continue between Coltishall and North Walsham, with a long stretch of the narrow B1150 unlit, adding to safety concerns.

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Eastern Daily Press: A view over North Walsham from the church towerA view over North Walsham from the church tower (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Mussen says his campaign group are not against new development but that they "just want to make the village safe".

North Norfolk District Council has said the matter has been the subject of "extensive public debate and a thorough consultation process" and it is awaiting the findings of the Planning Inspectorate, who will decide whether the local plan is satisfactory.

In addition, Norfolk County Council has said it will assess the impact of any proposed developments on the highway network when planning applications are lodged.