Plans to spend more than £100m on regenerating Great Yarmouth over the next seven years have been praised by county councillors.
Members of Norfolk County Council’s business and property committee have discussed the regeneration plans for the town centre and riverside areas, which include the much-anticipated Third River Crossing.
And while the committee was not required to make any decisions on the plans, it received high praise from a number of the members.
However, some raised concerns that the vision is not scheduled to be completed in its entirety until 2025.
Colleen Walker, Labour councillor for the Magdalen Division, said: “I am very proud to be working on this, but where is the short term?”
Fellow Labour councillor Terry Jermy said: “Having recently spoken to lots of people in Great Yarmouth, they just want to see things done. If we look too far ahead we forget about now.”
David Dukes, the council’s economic development manager, who presented the plans to the committee, said the £120m Third River Crossing was the main linchpin of the regeneration.
He said: “Much will be produced with the Third River Crossing and I think we can now plan with more control knowing that the bridge will be in place.”
In this year’s budget, central government pledged £98m towards the bridge, which will connect South Denes Road with the Harfreys Roundabout.
However, the regeneration also includes five objectives; strengthening the town centre, improving the market place, redeveloping The Conge, improving roads an developing Hall Quay.
While all elements are planned for delivery by 2025, work has already been carried out to improve the Fullers Hull roundabout, with £2m works to remodel the railway station and better connect it with the town centre also on track.
Carl Smith, Conservative councillor for Bradwell North and Burgh Castle, said: “The Fullers Hill works have provided a good improvement and the right turn being added at Asda will also be a great boost.
“Yarmouth is one of the great seaside resorts and hopefully we can work together with the borough council to bring investment to the town.”
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