Norfolk County Council has secured a commitment of £18.73 million from the Department for Transport towards the £20.81 million King’s Lynn STARS (Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme) project, which aims to make it easier to walk and cycle around the town and improve the Baxter’s Plain public space in the town centre.
This significant national investment, combined with a £2.08 million local contribution, will bring nearly £21 million of improvements to King’s Lynn. Norfolk County Council is providing the majority of the local funding and is working with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk who are also contributing land required for the scheme.
The project will create better, more direct walking and cycling links between key parts of the town – including the railway station, bus station and town centre – encouraging more people to choose healthy, sustainable modes of travel. It will also transform the area around the new library and community hub on Baxter’s Plain, creating a more welcoming, pedestrian‑friendly space, with enhancements to include new planting and additional cycle storage.
Cllr Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at Norfolk County Council, said:
“This is a great project and securing nearly £19 million of national investment towards it is an endorsement of that.
“Supporting people to walk and cycle in and around King’s Lynn is good for everyone – it gives people another option for getting around, improves access to shops and businesses, and makes the town a more attractive place to visit and spend time.”
Cllr Lesley Bambridge, county councillor for the King’s Lynn North and Central division, said:
“I and some borough councillors had a tour of areas of King’s Lynn that are set to benefit from this investment recently. We were talked through the proposals in situ and I was really impressed. I think STARS has the potential to make a big and positive difference to the way people move around the town, and the public realm aspects around Baxter’s Plain and Tower Street will improve access to local businesses. I’m looking forward to seeing more details later this year.”
James Wild, MP for North West Norfolk, said
“This is another welcome boost for the town and will make it easier and safer to walk and cycle and get around, as well as improving the public space by the new King's Lynn Library. I was pleased to support this proposal from Norfolk County Council and I'm grateful to ministers for approving the revised project. With the £25 million Town Deal and £20 million Pride in Place fund, I am delighted that this major investment means over £60 million secured for projects to benefit Lynn residents."
Cllr Alistair Beales, Council Leader at the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, said: “Through our extensive engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders over the last few years, there is a clear opportunity and need to ensure the town is better connected in a more sustainable way, to assist people of all abilities to access and move around the town centre.
“Effective joint working between the Borough Council, County Council, and the Neighbourhood Board is so vital to bring forward our ambitions. We are delighted that the government recognises the additional benefits that enhancements to Baxter’s Plain could bring following the development of a concept design in 2023. This infrastructure work directly supports our wider work to encourage people to live more active and healthier lives as part of the Marmot Place initiative; sustainable transport options to access work and leisure are key to this.”
Vicky Etheridge, who chairs King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, added:
“We are delighted that the government has supported the changes requested as part of the STARS scheme, the Neighbourhood Board has created a long-term vision for the town developed directly from community feedback and remains committed to building on the work to date to improve the local cycling and walking infrastructure in the town.
“This funding will provide a significant opportunity to improve the attractiveness and accessibility in this key location along the rail to river route through the town. It will also complement and create additional benefits associated with the new library opening in this area soon as part of the Towns Fund programme.”
With funding now secured, the project team will continue developing the design of the proposals, with the aim of starting work on site next year.
A public consultation on King’s Lynn STARS is planned for later this year, when people will be able to find out more about the proposals and share their views.
For more information on the project, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/KLSTARS
