Norfolk's bottleneck village fears North Walsham 1,800 homes

Villagers in Coltishall have recently met with highway bosses and police officers to discuss the problems they face with choked-up roads, telling them they worry lives are being put at risk.

It follows plans to build 1,800 homes in North Walsham, north Norfolk's biggest town less than seven miles to the north, recently being given the green light to progress by government officials.

Cars having to pull over to allow HGVs to pass (Image: Paul Thomas)

North Norfolk District Council says the huge scheme is vital for it to meet its growing housing needs.

However, those living to the south in Coltishall believe the B1150 - the most direct route from Norwich to North Walsham - is already dangerously over capacity and worry the extra traffic will cause chaos.

The issue is emblematic of the conflict between the need for more housing and the strain growing populations are putting on roads, schools and doctor surgeries.

The Broads in Coltishall (Image: Antony Kelly)

GRIDLOCKED VILLAGE

Villagers have set up a campaign group, the B1150 Group, who are demanding either improvements are made to the road, lorries are banned or that a relief road is constructed.

Locals frequently report lorries attempting to pass each other on the choked road are getting stuck at the narrow bridge over the Bure into Horstead.

And after a recent incident left an ambulance stuck in the tailback for nearly 20 minutes, locals fear lives could be in danger due to the traffic. 

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Jo Copplestone, Broadland district councillor for Coltishall ward (Image: Simon Finlay)

Jo Coppleston, Broadland councillor for Coltishall, said: "I am worried someone will die on the back of an ambulance. It is very concerning.

"It is a very old village with mostly Georgian buildings, the roads are not designed for so much traffic.

"Any growth north of the village is going to be a problem. We feel our problems have not been listened to."

Her concerns were affirmed after a meeting with local police officers, who agreed there are safety problems due to the road layout.

A map of the proposed North Walsham West urban extension, which has been earmarked for 1,800 homes (Image: Google)

HOUSING NEEDS

The conundrum facing Norfolk's bottleneck village epitomises the conflict between building desperately needed housing and the challenges faced by a lack of investment in major infrastructure like new roads.

The Planning Inspectorate - the government department that presides over planning issues - gave the green light for the North Walsham development to go ahead as part of its local plan despite the issues raised in Coltishall.

Cllr Andrew Brown, portfolio holder for planning and enforcement at North Norfolk District Council (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

Andrew Brown, cabinet member for planning at NNDC, said: "The current National Planning Policy Framework states that any development must not have a severe impact on roads. 

"There is no doubt the effect on the roads will be significant but will it be severe? Surveys conducted by transport experts have not shown this.

"We are being told by the government we may need to build more than 900 homes a year, which is causing tension.

"Building on land around North Walsham is the most sustainable option we have - we cannot build in the sea."

Coltishall is a village in the Norfolk Broads that sits between Norwich and North Walsham (Image: Mike Page)

Mr Brown admits there was not enough discussion with Broadland initially when the plans first emerged but says "the situation has changed" as further meetings have been held.

He has called for planning reform that will offer a more unified approach that considers housing developments and infrastructure in tandem.

Signs in the village ask drivers to slow down (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

ROAD REFORM

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for highways, recently met with Coltishall locals to see the situation for himself.

After witnessing the traffic problems, NCC has agreed to investigate what improvements can be made, such as measures to review traffic flows and pinch points through the village and general road safety.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Mr Plant said: "Our Highways Department are now looking into these potential changes and we will update residents on any relevant developments in due course.”

A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said: “We are aware of issues at this location and continue to work with our partners and local representatives to address any concerns that arise”.