The public gets its say from today over a multi-million pound shake-up for how traffic uses the Prince of Wales Road area of Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: County councillor John Fisher. Pic: Norfolk Conservatives.County councillor John Fisher. Pic: Norfolk Conservatives. (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

The £2.6m project takes in Prince of Wales Road, Rose Lane, Mountergate, King Street and Upper King Street, The proposals include a new pedestrian and cycle link on King Street between Prince of Wales Road and Rose Lane, changes to traffic flow and access around Mountergate, as well as new cycle routes.

Council bosses had originally proposed making Prince of Wales Road two-way, with only buses, taxis and cyclists allowed. Rose Lane would also be made two way.

But, with changes in traffic elsewhere in the city since the closure was first put forward, traffic modelling has shown shutting Prince of Wales Road and making Rose Lane two-way would lead to slower, not quicker, average bus journey times.

In some cases, they would be almost two minutes slower, so council bosses scrapped the closure plan.

Of the plans which are now on the table, John Fisher, chair of Norwich highways agency committee, made up of city and county councillors, said: 'Proposals being put forward have been informed by detailed traffic modelling and represent what we feel is best in terms of optimising traffic flow and provision of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

'We're looking for feedback through our consultation to help shape the final detail of the scheme that's put forward for construction.'

Mike Stonard, vice-chair of the committee, said: 'We're now turning our attentions to another integral part of our road network, which provides vital connections for public transport, general traffic, cycling and walking, as well as local businesses.

'We'd like to hear from anyone who uses the area regularly to help shape the final details and realise as many benefits as possible from the project.'

An online questionnaire will go live on www.norfolk.gov.uk/princeofwalesroad later today, where people can share their views. The deadline for comments is 10am on Monday, March 5.

After that, responses will be considered by the committee in the summer and work could start in September. Council officers say it would cause disruption, but work would be done in phases.