Five projects designed to improve transport and the environment in Norwich have been put forward for 2015-16, using more than £1m from a newly introduced levy.
The projects include £500,000 to remove traffic from Westlegate and open Golden Ball Street to two-way traffic, and £250,000 of improvements to encourage more people to use Marriott's Way.
Norwich City Council's cabinet last night agreed to recommend that the full council approves draft Norwich annual business plan for 2015-16, which included the schemes.
They would be funded by money from the community infrastructure levy (CIL), which is raised from developers and can be used for roads and other infrastructure.
The business plan also includes a total of £300,000 to work on developing four other transport schemes, so they are ready to put in place in future years.
These include making Prince of Wales Road and Rose Lane open to traffic in both directions, but with Prince of Wales Road only open to public transport and essential service vehicles; improving the Guardian Road junction with Dereham Road - currently a roundabout - where buses are delayed, and making 'significant' improvements to the blue pedalway, which connects the city centre to Eaton via Newmarket Road, and the Sewell area.
The cabinet recommended Norfolk County Council pay for this development work.
Council leader Brenda Arthur said: 'It will make the city an easier place to walk, drive and cycle through, and make real improvements. What's not to like about it?'
Golden Ball Street / Westlegate - £500,000
Plans to take traffic out of Westlegate, and make Golden Ball Street a two-way street is part of the Norwich Area Transport Strategy.
That scheme aims to encourage more people to cycle, walk or use public transport across Norwich, and remove through traffic from the inner ring road.
According to council documents, the plan for Westlegate and Golden Ball Street would see the traffic lights at the junctions of Cattle Market Street and Farmers Avenue, and Ber Street and All Saints Green, reconfigured so traffic can go northbound along Goldren Ball Street, as well as southbound.
The proposals would see Westlegate closed to all vehicles, apart form 'a handful of service vehicles'.
The report to last night's meeting said: 'A public realm scheme will see the creation of an attractive and inviting route through from St Stephens to Ber Street.'
It continued: 'Implementing the Westlegate and Golden Ball Street schemes will build on the improvements realised as part of the Chapel
Field North scheme that is currently under construction. Together, the schemes remove much of the traffic in the heart of the shopping area between
John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and The Walk creating a safer, more attractive environment for pedestrians.'
Riverside Walk - £30,000
The projects that are set to be funded by the community infrastructure levy in 2015-16 include a continuation of work to improve the riverside walk in Norwich.
Work has already been proposed for 2014-15 to improve river banks, seating and interpretation along the walk in the city centre.
The council report considered at last night's meeting said: 'This will lead to improved usability and attractiveness.'
The work already programmed for the current financial year is due to cost £40,000.
Yellow pedalway - £250,000
A study will be carried out to identify the 'significant improvements' that are needed at 'many location' along the yellow pedalway.
It is one of seven strategic cycle routes in the Greater Norwich cycle network, connecting the newly-opened University Technical College Norfolk, in Old Hall Road, through Lakenham, to the city centre. It also connects Norwich International Airport to the city centre.
The report to last night's meeting said: 'It has the potential to provide a healthy and affordable method of getting from these less affluent residential neighbourhoods to places where jobs are being created around Hall Road, the city centre and the airport.'
Earlham Millennium Green - £66,000
Earlham Millenium Green, one of the first millennium greens in the country, is set to see a 500m gravel path re-dressed.
The council report said the project aimed to 'enhance Earlham Millennium Green for site users and wildlife. Specifically the site will become more resilient to cope with increased usage generated from nearby developments, especially Three Score.'
The spending is aimed to create improvements to access, as well as an enhanced potential for educational use of the site.
The report said the 500m gravel path, which runs through the middle of the site, is currently worn and washed out, and would be re-dressed with 'more erosion resistant materials'.
Marriott's Way - £250,000
Marriott's Way follows a former railway line from Norwich to Aylsham, and work for 2015-16 will continue work this year.
Last night, council officers said the work would aim making people feel more secure, with surfaces and cutting back greenery among the options.
The report said: 'There are many places between Barn Road and Hellesdon Road where improvements to access, surfacing and landscape could boost the number of people using the route and its contribution to the biodiversity of the city.
'Officers from the city and county council are currently reviewing the priorities and it is clear the work will extend beyond 2014/15 and the £60k allocation for the initial phase of work this year.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here