How £274m road saga has dragged on for more than 20 years

The discovery of a rare bat colony meant a £274m plan for a new route effectively became a road to nowhere last year.

But since taking control of Norfolk County Council, Reform UK has been trying to revive the controversial Norwich Western Link (NWL) project.

Previous administrations spent years and millions of pounds before having to drop the idea.

It is a saga that has spanned more than two decades, so how did we get here?

A public consultation finds "strong support for transport improvements to the north and west" of Norwich, with a new "Northern Distributor Road (NDR)" stretching from the A47 west of Norwich to Postwick in the east, proving particularly popular.

The Conservative-controlled authority looks into the idea but decides against a complete link road as it would go through the Wensum Valley, which is "protected due to its international importance in biodiversity conservation".

Also, government advisers English Nature – now called Natural England - warn any potential route through the area could have a "very large, adverse" impact.

The council chooses to pursue plans for an NDR – now known as the Broadland Northway – which would link Postwick to the north-side of the city.

This proves to be a controversial decision, but the £205m, 12-mile bypass is finally completed in 2018.

Now controlled by a "Rainbow Coalition" of UKIP, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Greens, the council looks at the NWL idea again.

Senior members feel it would reduce journey times, help the economy and cut rat-running through villages like Taverham, Weston Longville and Ringland.

Estimated costs range from £28m to £106m.

The coalition collapses in May, partly because of the NWL, with the Greens leaving and attacking Labour's "ardent support" for the project.

Back in charge, the Tories move the plans forward, although a report warns "there would be significant environmental challenges".

A report from consultants offers four options.

Three of these involve a bridge across the Wensum and the other a tunnel beneath it.

The most expensive bridge option is priced at an estimated £141.2m, with the tunnel expected to cost around £232.7m.

About 1,900 people take part in a consultation on the idea of the NWL.

According to a council report in October, the majority feel it "would help tackle transport issues in the area".

The council is also in talks with the likes of the Environment Agency and Natural England to ensure any options "minimise impacts to the environment".

The council puts forward four bridge-based options.

In February, a council meeting is halted by a protest against the NWL by Extinction Rebellion - although the council ultimately settles on what was known as "Option C".

This would see the construction of a new dual carriageway with the Wensum being crossed by a 720m viaduct.

While it is predicted to eventually carry 32,000 vehicles a day, the project's price tag has gone up again – to an estimated £153m.

The council will need help with funding from the government, so will put its case to the Department for Transport (DfT) and aims to have the road open by 2025.

Meanwhile, environmental surveys highlight reports of rare barbastelle bats in the area.

In April, Labour councillor Emma Corlett warns of the "serious implications" of a barbastelle colony.

The council later reveals it has received letters of support for the road from a number of district councils, as well as police, chambers of commerce, the Road Haulage Association and numerous businesses.

But the likes of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Bat Conservation Trust are against.

Also, a council report claims the road will have economic benefits of £453m over 60 years, thanks to things like shorter travel times and fewer road accidents.

However, the cost of the NWL has gone up again, estimated to be £198m.

In March, the council confirms it found a maternity colony of the bats and is reviewing the route of the road.

Four months later, the authority says the projected cost has shot up another 25% - to £251.1m – blaming factors including the war in Ukraine, Covid and rising oil prices.

It also emerges the NWL has cost £25.5m so far, and the council is asking DfT for £213m to help pay for it.

Nonetheless, the Conservative council leader Andrew Proctor says the NWL is still "value for money".

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust warns the road could "spell the end of [an] incredible super colony" of the barbastelles.

The council responds by insisting it is committed to building "in an environmentally responsible way".

In October, there is good news for the council, with the DfT confirming £213m of funding.

Costs rise again though – with a new estimate of £273.9m.

March brings very bad news for the council – a change of rules made by Natural England means barbastelles now have "favourable conservation status".

Council leader Kay Mason Billig says the NWL will now be "almost impossible to achieve".

"We've been warning them for years," remarks Labour's Steve Morphew.

The following month, the council formally submits its plans to the government, although it later puts a "pause" on work, while there is a question mark over funding, following Labour's general election win.

In November, Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells BBC Radio Norfolk a final decision will be made on funding the following year.

Because of Natural England's decision, the council formally withdraws its application in January, although councillor Graham Plant insists it remains "a priority project".

Later in the year, the council asks the DfT for money to look at alternative routes.

Ahead of local elections, Mason Billig says her party is still committed to the NWL, but the Conservatives are swept out of power by Reform.

In August, the councillor now responsible for roads – Tom Dickerson – confirms Reform is now considering an alternative route.

"I'm only interested in providing a solution that is effective and provides good value-for-money," he insists.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.