Christmas roadwork pause welcomed by shopping centre

Roadworks have led to congestion around Norwich in recent weeks

The decision to restrict the number of roadworks taking place in a city in the run-up to Christmas has been welcomed by a shopping centre boss.

Norfolk County Council said only emergency works by utility companies will be allowed in Norwich ahead of the festive period.

Concerns had previously been raised about congestion in the lead-up to December 25, and Conservative councillor Graham Plant said the authority had "planned ahead to keep the city moving".

Rob Bradley, manager of the Castle Quarter shopping centre, was pleased with the decision and said it was "a good thing [as] the roads have been quite busy recently".

The council usually puts a stop to non-essential roadworks for the Christmas period, but slow-moving traffic has been a regular problem in recent weeks in Norwich.

Motorists have faced long delays because of works in the city, including upgrades to the A11 Thickthorn junction.

The council said temporary traffic lights at the junction of Holt Road and the airport entrance have now been removed, with work at Marl Pitt Lane/Dereham Road and near the Harford Park and Ride due to be completed within the next week.

Additional works on routes to the city centre and within the inner ring road would be restricted, it added.

A shopping centre manager said he was worried that if congestion continued to be a problem, people could be put off visiting the city

"It's a good thing, the roads have been quite busy recently - there have been queues around the city," said Mr Bradley.

"I think if it went on for much longer, people would become less confident about leaving the house and coming into the city."

Jo Bates, general manager of the city's other large shopping centre - Chantry Place – said she was "sure the retailers of Norwich will appreciate the pause".

Labour's Steve Morphew said the decision was "a no brainer"

"These measures are part of a strategic approach to doing what we can within our control to help people enjoy the city during this busy festive period," said Plant, the council cabinet member responsible for roads.

Brian Watkins, leader of the main opposition group – the Liberal Democrats – said the road network had been "grinding to a halt recently".

"It is particularly important in view of the work currently taking place at Thickthorn, and the extra congestion this has inevitably caused," he added.

Meanwhile, Labour's Steve Morphew said the decision was "a no-brainer".

"It also shows it is possible to get a grip on how road works are planned," he added.

The council said it also wanted to encourage people to use public transport to help ease congestion.