Proposals to block off a Norwich road have been ditched, after people living in nearby streets said it would increase rat-running past their homes.

As part of the £5.7m Push the Pedalways project, council officers had put forward proposals they said would make getting around the city safer for cyclists.

One of their proposals was to block off Park Lane, in Norwich's Golden Triangle, at its junction with Avenue Road, to ban traffic, other than bicycles.

But that led to a petition against the closure, signed by more than 300 people, while a consultation saw more than 500 people oppose the proposal.

At a meeting of the Norwich Highways Agency committee today, councillors agreed to changes in the area - but abandoned the road closure.

Other elements of the scheme - traffic calming; a zebra crossing to replace the pelican crossing on Unthank Road; extending a 20mph restriction on Unthank Road and contra flow cycling in Essex Street and Rupert Street were approved.

Bert Bremner, city and county councillor for University ward, said he felt the original scheme would have brought improvements.

But he said the views of the community had made clear local people were not in favour and that must be heeded.

Denise Carlo, Green councillor for Nelson ward, said: 'This issue has raised great passions in the ward, but we have got through it.'

The changes, which will cost £180,000, are likely to be made next summer.

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