Consultation launched on plans for bus interchange at the N&N
Residents are being asked what they think about proposals.
A consultation's been launched on proposals to build a new bus interchange at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
The proposal has been developed by the Transport for Norwich team at Norfolk County Council.
It aims to provide a new bus interchange near the outpatient entrance by creating a new arm of the existing on-site hospital roundabout to serve the proposed new hub.
It's hoped the hub will increase the capacity for buses, resolve congestion and reduce conflict with vulnerable users of the disabled car parking area.
The new infrastructure would include five new bus stops, bike share stands, cycle parking, a taxi drop-off and pick-up point, and a bus shelter.
In addition to street lighting and CCTV, a bike repair shop and electrical vehicle charging stations would be added to an existing car park in the area.
To help shape how these plans will be developed and finalised ahead of a formal application and consultation next year, the hospital is asking residents and those who access the facility for feedback on the initial plans that have been published.
Cllr Martin Wilby, Chair of the Transport for Norwich joint committee and Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: "The NNUH provides vital services to people from across the county, so it's essential that we make it easily accessible through as many modes of transport as possible. We're keen to get people's initial thoughts on what we're proposing for the new transport hub so that the final plans put forward are the best version possible of this important new facility."
An NNUH Chief Executive, Sam Higginson, said they are pleased to be working with Norfolk County Council and Transport for Norwich to explore solutions to improve bus capacity and cycle storage at their hospital.
He added that these proposals would help reduce traffic congestion in the central plaza of the hospital, which is currently used by buses, taxis, patient transport services, and cars as a drop-off point and a parking lot for the disabled.
NNUH and Norfolk County Council are now looking at ways to compensate for the loss of staff parking if the transport hub proposal is approved.
The project is part of a programme of infrastructure improvements in the Greater Norwich area, approved by the county council's Cabinet last year and funded by the Department for Transport Transforming Cities Fund.
The deadline for resident feedback is Sunday, 5 December.