Proposals to block off a Norwich road would send drivers rat-running onto nearby roads, worried residents have warned.

Eastern Daily Press: An artist's impression of how Park Lane could look if the Push The Pedalways changes are brought in.An artist's impression of how Park Lane could look if the Push The Pedalways changes are brought in. (Image: Norwich City Council)

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

One of their proposals is to block off Park Lane at its junction with Avenue Road.

That would prevent traffic, other than cycles, from heading down the road. However, people living in nearby streets fear drivers will head down their residential roads instead.

A petition has been started and posters put up urging people to let Norwich City Council know they are against the proposals.

Jonathan Wortley, from College Road, said: 'It will force traffic into other streets and is there really a need to close Park Lane? The people I have spoken to do not think it is a huge problem for the cyclists who use it.'

Kay Spalding, who opened Arts Desire in Park Lane earlier this year, said she feared closure would affect her business.

Mrs Spalding said: 'I'm not against cyclists, but I think there are other options rather than closing Park Lane. That is going to send traffic into other residential streets.

'We're a brand new business which has invested a lot of money and time here and this could really affect us.'

She recently had paint sprayed on the Keep Park Lane open posters she displayed in her window.

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said people's views would be taken into account through consultation, which had already been through one phase.

She said: 'The second consultation runs until Friday, after which we will analyse all the comments received and decide whether the scheme should go ahead as proposed, or whether any elements of it need changing. Any concerns raised will be taken into consideration as part of this process.'

The consultation can be found here

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