RESIDENTS whose homes will be wiped off the map by the third river crossing in Great Yarmouth will get the chance to voice their concerns at a meeting with transport officials and the town's MP.

RESIDENTS whose homes will be wiped off the map by the third river crossing in Great Yarmouth will get the chance to voice their concerns at a meeting with transport officials and the town's MP.

It follows the launch of a public consultation last Friday on proposed routes for the crossing - an �80m bridge and �180m tunnel - when worried home-owners raised questions about property blight and compensation.

Officials from Norfolk County Council hope to organise a meeting with MP Tony Wright within the next three weeks.

Claire Sullivan, transport planner at the county council, said proposals had been mostly welcomed by the public.

She said: “The consultation went very well. A lot of people were positive about the need for a third river crossing.”

Ms Sullivan said while several people who visited the Market Place exhibition believed dualling the A47 Acle Straight was a priority, many agreed it was the notorious junctions which caused the most problems.

Residents whose homes would be directly affected by proposals visited the exhibition and quizzed planners over issues such as compensation and compulsory purchase orders.

Commenting on the proposals, Graham Plant, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism, said the third river crossing would spark further improvements in the town's infrastructure including the Acle Straight.

He said: “This will bring great benefits for the future but this is going to be a problem for some people - the 35 people who may lose their homes, but we will try to help them.”

Mr Plant added that if the crossing was ever built - depending on whether funding can be secured - it could attract more businesses to set up base in the town.

Plans unveiled last week would affect a total of 75 addresses, mainly in Queen Anne's Road and Southtown Road.

The county council's cabinet is expected to choose its preferred option in November, following the consultation.