Our Norwich Western Link Pre-Planning Application Public Consultation is now live. As of today, we've published more information about our proposals for this priority infrastructure project for Norfolk County Council and are inviting people to give us their feedback before we finalise and submit the planning application next year.

There's a lot I want to tell you about this consultation, which will run for eight weeks, so I'm going to break this email down into sections to make it easier for you to read.

What are we consulting on?

We're consulting on elements of the project which will be included in the planning application, including:

·  The design of the road and its structures, including the viaduct

·  Environmental mitigation and enhancement measures

·  Traffic mitigation measures on the existing road network

We're also providing an update on proposals that we consulted on in 2020 in our Local Access Consultation, including measures to support walking and cycling as part of the Norwich Western Link.

How do people view the proposals?

Visit our consultation website via www.norfolk.gov.uk/nwl, where there's a new fly-through video and images which show what the route could look like, as well as lots of other information.

We're also holding four in-person consultation events where people can come and view information and discuss the proposals with members of the project team. These events will be held at:

·  Barnham Broom Village Hall on Friday 2 September (12-8pm)

·  The Costessey Centre on Friday 9 September (1-8pm)

·  Weston Longville Hall for All on Thursday 15 September (12-8pm)

·  Felthorpe Village Hall on Thursday 22 September (12-8pm)

People can also request paper copies of the consultation brochure and questionnaire by emailing nwlconsultation@norfolk.gov.uk or phoning 0344 800 8020 and providing their postal address.

An Environmental Information Document has been produced for the public consultation which provides more details on the main environmental considerations on the Norwich Western Link project. This will be available to view on the consultation website via www.norfolk.gov.uk/nwl and at Taverham, Dereham, Reepham and Wymondham libraries and the Archive Centre at County Hall in Norwich throughout the consultation period.

How do people respond to the consultation?

There are several ways people can respond to the consultation:

·  Complete the consultation questionnaire online via www.norfolk.gov.uk/nwl

·  Complete a paper copy of the consultation questionnaire and post it to: Freepost Plus RTCL-XSTTJZSK, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH

·  Email comments to nwlconsultation@norfolk.gov.uk

·  Write to: Freepost Plus RTCL-XSTT-JZSK, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH

What if people have questions about the proposals or the consultation?

Again, there are a few options. One of these is to come along to one of the consultation events mentioned further up this email where you can talk to members of the project team. People can also book phone or online appointments with members of the project team during the consultation period via the consultation website, or by emailing nwlconsultation@norfolk.gov.uk or phoning 0344 800 8020.

Written questions can also be submitted by email to the above address, although if they're fairly complex we may suggest setting up a conversation rather than responding in writing.

People are also welcome to email or phone us if they need further assistance that will enable them to respond to the consultation, and we'll do our best to help.

When do people need to respond by?

The consultation will close at midnight on Sunday 9 October 2022, so I'd encourage people to make sure we have received their response before then.

What are the next steps after the consultation ends?

We'll consider the responses we've received as part of the work we need to do to finalise our proposals ahead of submitting the planning application next year. A report will be brought to a Norfolk County Council cabinet meeting next year before the planning application is submitted and this will contain a summary of the results of this consultation.

I realise this is a lot of information and I hope this is clear. Just to reiterate, if you have questions about the consultation or want to submit a consultation response by email, please send it to nwlconsultation@norfolk.gov.uk and not this email address.

This is our fourth public consultation on the Norwich Western Link but, given the stage we are at with the project now, this one provides more detail than we've previously shared. So I would urge you to have a look at the information we've published and to tell us your views so we can take them into account.

And if you know anyone who you think may be interested in our proposals for the Norwich Western Link, please forward them this email or tell them about it so they have a chance to respond to the consultation too.

Thank you in advance if you're planning to consider our proposals for the Norwich Western Link and respond to the consultation, it's much appreciated. We want to submit the best possible planning application for this project and getting people's comments on our proposals now will help us to do this.