Norwich Western Link road threatens ancient woods and trees

A proposed 3.9-mile dual carriageway in Norfolk has sparked opposition due to its potential environmental impact. The plans would harm centuries-old trees and woods, intensify carbon emissions, obliterate an important supercolony of bats and destroy the homes of other wildlife. Join the call to better protect nature and re-route the plans.

What’s the problem?

Norfolk County Council’s plans for the Norwich Western Link aim to connect the A47 and A1067 near Norwich. But the road would have to cut through a valuable and unique area of connected habitats, including grasslands, floodplains, ancient woodlands and the globally important Wensum chalk river.

Advocates argue the scheme will alleviate traffic congestion. But many residents, local politicians and environmental charities and groups express deep concerns for its social and environmental impacts.

We also oppose the scheme in its current form. The potential loss and deterioration of numerous ancient and veteran trees, as well as areas of ancient and old woodland, is shocking. We can't let this happen. 

At risk: ancient and veteran trees and ancient woods

While the proposed route of the road impacts many different habitats, our concerns are mainly for the individual ancient and veteran trees. Each of these majestic giants is unique and many are centuries old. They provide vital deadwood habitat for birds, bats, insects and various fungi. Destroying them would have a cascading effect and disrupt the delicate balance of the whole local environment.

Areas of ancient woodland are affected too. These woods have existed continuously since at least 1600 and are amongst our most valuable and important natural wonders. Each has one-of-a-kind ecology, taking many lifetimes to develop. This makes every single one irreplaceable. The Norwich Western Link would fragment and destroy these precious habitats and other areas of long-established woodland. The impacts would be devastating and irreversible.

At risk: air quality and climate

The road project poses a significant threat to our climate. Norfolk County Council estimates an enormous 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from construction alone.

The scheme wouldn’t just add to emissions, it would destroy some of our best natural tools for reducing them. Ancient woodlands and veteran trees, like those impacted, are crucial carbon sinks, storing far more carbon than younger trees. Only 25% of UK woodland is ancient, but it holds 37% of all the carbon stored in woods and trees. These woods and trees are vital for climate mitigation, and their destruction undermines Government’s 2030 climate targets.

At risk: a nationally important bat supercolony

In the road's path is a supercolony of barbastelle bats. Not only is this species protected by law, the supercolony – a relatively high population in a small area - is nationally important and likely the largest in the country.

The barbastelle is one of our rarest species of bat. Distinctive with their pug-like faces, large ears and dark, silky fur, these remarkable creatures rely on different features in the landscape. They are fast and agile flyers, foraging moths, beetles and flies, and swooping down to drink from lakes and ponds. Barbastelles are crevice-dwellers, so the fissures, cracks and lifted bark of veteran trees are perfect habitat for them. Without these trees, woods and the interconnected habitats in the area threatened by the plans, the supercolony is in danger and unlikely to survive.

This supercolony is rare and special. Natural England, the Government's advisor on nature, has objected to the road plans because of the impact on the bats. This has caused the council to ‘pause’ the project, acknowledging that it is unlikely to get the bat mitigation licenses it needs from Natural England. But a pause does not mean the threat has gone away for good and we shouldn't assume the area is now safe.

What can I do to help?

Join us in objecting to the proposals and calling for protection for ancient trees, the bats and this special area that is so important for wildlife, people and nature.

Wherever you live, you can:

• sign our petition to urge UK governments to give stronger legal protection to our oldest and most special trees. Every signature adds weight to the call.
• watch our campaigns newsfeed page and Norfolk Wildlife Trust's website for updates and news on other ways you can get involved.

If you live in Norfolk, you can also:

• contact your MP to express your concerns about the devastating impact on veteran trees and ancient woods. Copy in steve.reed.mp@parliament.uk (Defra) and heidi.alexander.mp@parliament.uk (DfT)
• contact your local councillors to express your opposition to the project and its potential consequences.