Norfolk lacks a coherent county-wide travel strategy fit for the urgent challenges that we face. Norfolk has missed out on tens of millions of pounds of government funding for transport because proposals submitted have not been transformational or ambitious enough. We must invest urgently in green public transport over mass road building projects to move towards our target of net zero carbon emissions for Norfolk by 2030.
We recognise that many of you in our coastal, rural and market town communities have such limited public transport available that it does not make it easy to access work, education, shopping or have a social life. We recognise that this key need is vital to the future economy and we must create a viable network connecting the villages and the county.
Many of you in urban areas have told us that bus travel is too expensive and too limited at evenings and weekends. You have told us of your frustrations at the lack of join-up of bus and train services, leaving long waits for connections or opting for car use. 19% of Norfolk households do not have access to a car, leading to further isolation and lack of opportunity. We want make it easier to make the ‘last mile home’ by walking or cycling (for those who are able) and understand that to do so we need to make improvements to paths, lighting and cycle routes so that you feel safe.