Improvements worth more than £5m will be made to Great Yarmouth's bus network, a council boss has said.

But a transport passenger group believes the town is still being overlooked in the funding stakes.

Last August, Norfolk County Council received £49.5m of government money to improve bus services and facilities as part of the UK-wide Bus Back Better fund.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A First Bus Coastal Clipper in Great Yarmouth. Picture - First BusA First Bus Coastal Clipper in Great Yarmouth. Picture - First Bus (Image: Victoria Pertusa)

Following public consultation, the council announced its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which was to use the funds to lower fares for under-25-year-olds, introduce bus priority schemes and introduce new and more frequent services across Norfolk.

In Great Yarmouth, the East Norfolk Transport Users Association (ENTUA) submitted ideas on how the council could improve services in the area.

These included a new regular service from the town centre to Gapton Hall Retail Park, improvements to the new First Bus service 7 to Norwich via Filby, Fleggburgh and Acle, and the introduction of a stop at James Paget University Hospital on the First Bus service 6 from Market Gates Shopping Centre to Belton.

However, these ideas were rejected by the council.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: East Norfolk Transport Users Association's chair, Tony Grice, committee member Trevor Garrod and secretary Steve Hewitt. Picture - James WeedsEast Norfolk Transport Users Association's chair, Tony Grice, committee member Trevor Garrod and secretary Steve Hewitt. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

ENTUA group secretary Steve Hewitt said: "Part of the BSIP mandate was to improve the ability for people to get to shops, doctors, and employment. 

"By intransigence, Great Yarmouth and the surrounding areas are being totally ignored by Norfolk County Council.

"And we fear that by the time something does happen to improve services in the local area, funding could soon run out.

"Great Yarmouth is a designated area of deprivation according to government figures, and yet the council refuses to help put on services that are socially needed."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: ENTUA proposed that the First Bus service 6 also stopped at James Paget University Hospital. Picture - NewsquestENTUA proposed that the First Bus service 6 also stopped at James Paget University Hospital. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport Graham Plant said there are plans for over 10pc (£5.14m) of the £49.5m windfall to go towards improving services in the Great Yarmouth borough, including service enhancements, infrastructure improvements and bus priority measures. 

Mr Plant announced plans to integrate bus and rail at North Quay with a new Travel Hub plus further inbound and outbound bus stops along Acle New Road, with improved walking paths to the rail station.

There are also proposals for an inbound bus lane on Southtown Road and a review of the current gyratory system to decrease bus journey times.

Mr Plant added that the First Bus service 8 from Caister to the James Paget will be enhanced, with more buses in the evenings beginning later this month.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Councillor Graham Plant. Picture - NewsquestCouncillor Graham Plant. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Plant said: "I understand the disappointment that other service enhancements haven’t been agreed upon, but we do have to ensure that services have a very high chance of being commercially sustainable after the funding period so that we do not see services disappear after three years. 

"We also mustn’t forget that this summer the long-awaited third river crossing will be opened offering new route opportunities to road users to tackle the traffic congestion in the town and see the bus network benefit from improved service reliability, particularly during the congested peak season."

Last week, concerns were raised that authorities like Norfolk County Council were having to pick up the bill to fund the free bus pass scheme.

The county council spends £12m each year to reimburse bus operators for journeys made by older and disabled people who use the pass entitling them to free off-peak travel.

ENTUA's Mr Hewitt has suggested a flat fare of 50p per journey for pass holders.

Mr Hewitt said: "This flat fare would give significant income to local authorities to continue this most valuable scheme.

"The 5.2m journeys made in 2022/23 by pass holders in Norfolk would raise a valuable £2.5m to help local authorities continue funding the scheme."