Healthy options are key to travel vision for King's Lynn

West Norfolk Council has shed more light on a scheme to create active travel hubs to encourage travellers to cycle and walk into Lynn rather than drive.

Documents which were due to go before last week’s cabinet meeting, cancelled because of the death of the Queen, gave updated details on this and another visionary project to be funded by £25million of government money.

Business plans have been prepared for the travel initiative and proposals to create a multi-use community hub in the old Argos building in the town centre to house the relocated library.

It is seen as a means of reviving a central eyesore site and increasing the footfall in the centre of the town.

The active travel plans would also be central to the council’s vision.

Approval of the plans will be key to the projects’ progress and could see applications for the travel hubs lodged early next year and the scheme completed in autumn 2024.

The proposal is for travel hubs to be created in the Nar Ouse Enterprise Zone and Baker Lane car park.

At the Nar Ouse site there would be around 50 pay and display spaces, charging points for cars and bikes and bike storage.

In Baker Lane, in a design to incorporate the existing toilet block, there would charging and storage facilities for cycles including secure lockers.

Other improvements and additions to walking and cycling routes into town – including those from the Woottons, Fairstead, Gaywood and North Lynn, would also encourage people to choose options other than driving.

As well as the benefits of cleaner air quality and better health, the project is seen as a means of reducing traffic congestion and to encourage economic and business growth.

According to the business plan, the active travel initiative carries a cost of £6.2million, of which just over £4million would come from the government Town Deal funding windfall. Support from the Business Rates Pool to complete the funding package would be critical, states the report.

Businesses have been invited to help create the active travel plans and so far those signed up are Mars, the NHS and Greenyard Frozen Foods.