Representation by Olivia Hanks
- Date submitted
- 14 June 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am concerned that this scheme is being considered in isolation and that the application does not consider the relationship with other road infrastructure projects, in particular the proposed Norwich Western Link. The cumulative impact on carbon emissions and ecology from this and at least six other road expansion projects currently proposed in the Greater Norwich and East Norfolk area would be very significant, yet there has been no assessment of these cumulative impacts. Norfolk County Council has identified that the area north of the scheme has a nationally significant breeding barbastelle colony of bats. The cumulative impacts of this scheme with the Norwich Western Link on this protected species should be assessed under Part 3, Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. The UK has committed to achieve ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050. This requires very rapid emissions reductions across all sectors; major new projects should be able to demonstrate how they are compatible with this target and with the UK’s legally binding carbon budgets under the Climate Change Act 2008. The case for this scheme says that it will increase capacity, i.e. it will contribute to additional traffic. This is not in line with either the UK’s ‘net zero’ commitment or the need for modal shift away from car use towards walking, cycling and public transport.