Cyclists have been warned that a busy city junction may not be safe for them after comments made by the county council's highways chief.

Major changes to the layout of Dereham Road at the junction with Grapes Hill have recently been proposed which would see existing lanes altered and curbs moved to help the general flow of traffic. 

Norfolk County Council hopes this would also improve bus journey times and reliability across the city after launching a public consultation, which ended on February 22.  

Eastern Daily Press: There will be four major changes made in total if approvedThere will be four major changes made in total if approved (Image: Norfolk County Council)

However, the changes could leave the area a "no-go" for cyclists after a comment made at the council's cabinet meeting last week.

Green councillor Jamie Osborn questioned if the proposals would make an "already dangerous" junction worse for cyclists, highlighting issues with the existing cycle lane in Dereham Road ending "abruptly".

Graham Plant, the Conservative-controlled council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This section of Dereham Road is not promoted as a cycle route and does not have any designation as a pedalway.

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"For those cycling into the city from the west of Norwich, the green pedalway provides an alternative route using West Pottergate as well as a neighbourhood route, using Orchard Street and Heigham Street, both of which avoid this busy junction."

Eastern Daily Press: Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways and transport, said Dereham Road does not have any designation as a pedalwayGraham Plant, cabinet member for highways and transport, said Dereham Road does not have any designation as a pedalway (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Mr Plant's response has been slammed by the chairman of Norwich Cycling Campaign, Peter Silburn, who believes the council has a responsibility to make sure the road is "safe for all users".

Mr Silburn said: "Is Graham Plant saying Dereham Road is now a no-go area for cyclists?

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"Dereham Road is a well-used route for people on bikes precisely because it’s the quickest way to the places people want to get to.

Eastern Daily Press: Changes to a key junction in Norwich have been proposedChanges to a key junction in Norwich have been proposed (Image: Google Maps)
"Mr Plant suggests cyclists instead use the green pedalway, but these are not intended to be the only streets that you can cycle in.

"Its aim is to provide a coherent network of safe cycle routes that are especially useful for newcomers and beginners.

"The county council has a responsibility to ensure Dereham Road is safe for all users, so we are concerned that by design, cycling is being made more dangerous."

Eastern Daily Press: Peter Silburn, chairman of Norwich Cycling Campaign, said Dereham Road should be safe for all usersPeter Silburn, chairman of Norwich Cycling Campaign, said Dereham Road should be safe for all users (Image: Newsquest)