A successful bid by Norfolk County Council has seen Norwich become one of only three cities in the country to secure £500,000 Zero Emission Transport City (ZETC) development funding from the UK government.
The Department for Transport (DfT) funding will allow a detailed study to be carried out this year that will explore, alongside residents, businesses and transport operators, the benefits and impacts that a zero-emission zone in the city centre could bring and how it could be established.
The work will also consider what support would be needed to make any zero-emission zone work for all who live, work and do business in the area, and would build on plans already underway that are hoped will start to bring zero-emission buses to the city.
Cllr Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, Norfolk County Council, said: “We’re very pleased to be selected as this innovative pilot programme aims to demonstrate practical ways to decarbonise transport systems in city centres.
“A zero-emission zone would link in well with our forward looking Transport for Norwich Strategy, and wider Norfolk Local Transport Plan, which aim to cut carbon, reduce congestion, improve air quality, and build on some of the great work to boost our cycling and public transport network.”
Norwich already has a network of streets in the city centre where access is restricted to general traffic, several of which allow no vehicles at all. According to the council, this network of restricted access city centre streets provides a foundation to deliver a new zero-emission zone for Norwich.
The work with local businesses and residents will involve the production of a detailed business case over the summer, which will set out how a ZETC would be established. This development process will include advice from the DfT’s analytical, finance, and economic experts.
The three successful bidders for Zero Emission Transport City development funding are:
- West of England Combined Authority for Bristol
- Norfolk County Council for Norwich
- Oxfordshire County Council for Oxford
