Midlands & East Anglia

BRT Phase One Arrives

Bus Rapid Transit

Phase One of the £1.5 million Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme in Norfolk is now complete. The first phase of the scheme took place between Dereham Road and Barn Road in Norwich and was implemented by Norfolk County Council in order to provide the city with a more efficient bus service. The scheme has offered more frequent and reliable services to key routes within Norwich City centre and included the introduction of intelligent traffic light systems, the improvement of roads and the installation of new ticket and information systems. Work began on Phase One in October 2011 and funding was provided by the Greater Norwich Development Partnership’s Growth Point budget. May Gurney was the main contractor on the scheme and Mott MacDonald Group was the structural engineer. Dereham Road is an important route in Norwich and provides travel links to the city centre for many residents and businesses. The route provides services for Longwater, Lodge Farm, Bowthorpe and West Costessey and up to 20 buses pass through the route per hour during peak times. In 2009 Dereham Road was identified during the Norwich Area Transportation Strategy (NATS) consultation as a key route for providing high quality public transport. Norfolk County Council now plans to introduce six bus corridors into the county to improve travel. As part of Phase One, a number of improvements were carried out including the narrowing of junctions at Golding Place and Charles Square and the widening of a junction at Grapes Hill and St Benedict’s Street. New traffic lights were introduced at Grapes Hill, whilst a new 24-hour bus lane was constructed between Orchard Street and Barn Road and works were carried out to enhance an area of St Benedict’s Street. Work was also carried out on the southern footway, which is situated adjacent to the petrol station and cycle path on Boatman Way. Bus Rapid Transit Additional works on the scheme included constructing tactile paved crossings, the planting of trees, the introduction of new bus and cycle route signage and a number of streetscape, landscape and resurfacing works. As the programme of works commenced prior to the Christmas period in 2011, works were reduced in December to minimise the impact the scheme would have on the increased amount of traffic at this busy time of year. As some pedestrian and cycle routes were affected by the scheme, a number of signed alternative routes were provided throughout this month. Works resumed in full in January 2012 until the scheme was completed. FW Hall & Son Ltd Established in 1893, fourth generation company FW Hall & Son Ltd are stainless steel fabricators that specialise in marine, architectural and bespoke applications. The company is a bespoke manufacturer of staircases, balustrades, ornamental work and marine applications and has recently provided services to national construction companies, many large and small local building firms and a number of 5* hotels in London. For Phase One of the Dereham Road Bus Rapid Transit project, FW Hall & Son Ltd provided a number of stainless steel applications including a plaque and frame for signage and some seating. FW Hall & Son Ltd Managing Director, Ian Hall, said: “We’ve worked with Norfolk County Council on a number of projects to manufacture bespoke applications – including a bronze handrail at Norwich City Hall – and it’s great to be involved with them again. “Being included in the Bus Rapid Transit scheme was something that we really enjoyed as we’re a local business and it was a local project. “Over the generations we’ve built a good reputation for quality with a particular eye for detail that only comes with bespoke items fabricated by craftsmen. I believe this will serve us well for the future as we strive to maintain the high standards we’ve set.”

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Roma Publications