Traffic chaos fears over livestock market move

3 hours ago

Owen Sennitt,Local democracy reporterand

George King

News image — Some residents are concerned relocating the market outside the city will cause traffic "pandemonium"

PA Media A black and white cow, with a yellow tag in its ear, peers down the lens of a camera. It's so close to the camera, its nose fills half the frame. Another cow, which is out of focus, can be seen in the background, — Some residents are concerned relocating the market outside the city will cause traffic "pandemonium"

Residents fear relocating a city's livestock market will cause traffic chaos in nearby villages.

Norwich City Council wants to move the market, off Hall Road, to farmland 15 miles away on Fox Lane, south of the A47 at North Tuddenham.

It has been at its current site since the 1960s, and in the city for centuries, but needs an estimated £3m of repairs to bring it up to standard.

Locals are worried a move to Fox Lane would mean more lorries travelling on small roads and through villages. The council says a final decision has yet to be made.

'Pandemonium'

Concerned residents include Mark Edwards, a farmer who moved from South Wales to close to the market's potential new site.

The 64-year-old said traffic used to be "pandemonium" when he visited livestock markets, something he fears could be replicated in Norfolk.

"HGV traffic will blight Mattishall, Swanton Morley, Bawdeswell, Lyng and many other hamlets 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year," he said, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"For every lorry carrying livestock, there will be three behind looking to buy.

"The cumulative impact of this type of movement, repeated frequently, should not be underestimated."

Geographer/Geograph Norwich Livestock Market. It has grey livestock pens, iron-clad buildings and a large concrete forecourt, which is in the foreground. The market is empty. — Norwich's long-running livestock market has been at this site, just off Hall Road, since 1960

There are also plans to create an overnight lorry park, shops and other facilities to help make the livestock market profitable.

North Tuddenham Parish Council said concerns had been "heightened".

Vicky Turner, council clerk, said: "The parish council and its residents are deeply concerned around the health and safety impact of drastically raised vehicular use.

"Members have been in regular dialogue with Norfolk County Council around this. Sadly, outcomes have been negligible."

Google Maps A landscape image taken of a large open farmer's field from a road. There is a give way sign on the right of the image, which is positioned amongst green fauna. The blue sky is overcast with some clouds. — Land off Fox Lane, North Tuddenham, where the livestock market could go

The process of relocation has involved changing an Act of Parliament that required City Hall to provide a livestock market within Norwich's boundaries.

The council says it wants to move it outside Norwich as there are no suitable locations within the city.

"We continue to work closely with all the key stakeholders to secure the long-term future of a new market outside of the city's boundary," a spokesperson said.

"Our goal is to create a new, modern and fit-for-purpose facility which better meets the needs of those it needs to serve."

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