A senior councillor has addressed calls to introduce a new bus link from a Norfolk town centre to a nearby retail park.

The East Norfolk Transport Users Association (ENTUA), has been urging Norfolk County Council to continue improving bus services in Great Yarmouth.

It wants a new regular bus route from the Market Gates bus station to the Gapton Hall Retail Park and the Harfreys Industrial Estate.

Norfolk County Council is aware of the calls for a new route to the Gapton Retail Park but is wary that government funding will soon cease for bus services.

In 2022 the council was awarded nearly £50m from the government to make the county's buses better.

So far from the £49 million kitty that the council received to better services there have been changes to Great Yarmouth services operated by First Eastern Counties,  a £1.50 fare cap scheme and proposed improvements to the town's bus interchange.

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: “The Bus Service Improvement Plan has helped us to introduce new and improved services in Great Yarmouth - including services to and from key locations such as Market Gates and James Paget Hospital.

READ MORE: The Norfolk retail park without public transport to and from its nearest town

"We have also put this money towards introducing £1.50 capped fare for Great Yarmouth to help people choose the bus, and proposed changes to the interchange at Market Gates interchange to ensure quicker and more reliable journeys.

"It is important that any new or extended services are commercially sustainable over the long term to avoid creating routes that people rely on, only to take them away in a few months once the government funding comes to an end.

"We have been in discussions with the ENTUA on this proposal and explained our position.

"We will continue to work with local groups and lobby government for continued funding to help us build on the success of the Bus Service Improvement Plan in Norfolk.”

 

Councillor Graham PlantCouncillor Graham Plant (Image: Submitted)

Gapton Hall Retail Park on the edge of Great YarmouthGapton Hall Retail Park on the edge of Great Yarmouth (Image: James Bass)