Building a new road is not cheap and when estimating its construction cost one needs to consider not just the expense of building it, but also the high outlay for environmental mitigation measures, inflationary factors and contingency matters. Current estimates put the cost of this road at north of £300m.
Estimates are not reliable and this became very evident with the under budgeting of the NDR. This has cost tax payers double the figure originally estimated and there still remain further money to be paid. Much of this is down to the inexperience of NCC’s negotiators who seem to have been out manoeuvred by the contractors. Not surprising when NCC seems to be lacking in experience when it comes to larger, more complex road schemes.
You might say why should I care?
Well put it this way much of the funding of the NWL( £300m) is likely to be raised through a fifty year loan, and though the interest rate may be low, the fact is that the interest payments when added to the existing amount of loan interest paid by NCC of £28m, will without doubt impact on your pocket. You will be paying more!
It is estimated that each tax payer in Norfolk will be paying around £20 extra in council tax for a road that is only three miles long and which is not needed. There are other options cheaper and more effective.
The road will not answer all of the issues around congestion and ‘rat running’. Its impact will be marginal and only serve to increase traffic in and around the villages. The claims of faster journey time and less congestion are nothing other than fake news. Don’t be conned.
The other consideration is that having announced recently the need to make savings on provisions of care and other vital services the truth is that NCC can not afford this road. There is no doubt that the outlay for this road will not only result in a significant increase in council tax, but will also lead to a reduction of funding in other areas of critical services.
Those who may benefit from the road only form a very small part of Norfolk - is it fair for those who will see no direct benefit to be required to pay extra council tax?
Some people have already commented that it is a high price to pay to improve the journey time for those living in London and other places outside the County with second homes in North Norfolk. Should be funding a road that will only provide a marginal benefit for a small number of people living within our County?
Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council, commenting on NCC’s recent announcements of forced savings stated
"The reality is a much darker and more sombre prospect for those who need support. This is a further appalling lack of honesty and transparency. Every family in Norfolk will be paying an extra £1 a week for £1m a week fewer services next year’’
"We have seen the callous increases and treatment meted out by this Conservative council towards disabled people this year. No sign of relief for the hardship being inflicted on them, just the prospect of more and worse.”
Don’t be fooled. This road if built as currently proposed will lead to an increase in council tax and will result in further cuts backs to the funding of services for children and vulnerable adults. NCC should be held to account and we should all as council tax payers be calling for a very close scrutiny of this road.
Say no to the Wensum Link Road by signing the petition here : http://chng.it/99Bf7qpq