PFI funding proposed for bypass

The new route is to relieve pressure in the north of the city

A scheme to use private money to pay for a £100m northern bypass for Norwich is to be looked at by councillors.

Norfolk County Council is considering whether a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme could fund the Northern Distributor Road (NDR).

Planners believe the road would help cut congestion in Norwich.

On Wednesday, the council agreed to set up a working group to consider asking firms to bid for a NDR PFI contract which could include road maintenance.

A report to the county's highways and transportation committee says the government has said £600m worth of PFI deals could be allowed to go ahead across the country.

The government says it is unlikely that a PFI contract just for the building of the NDR would be backed.

It would be more likely to succeed if the contract also included an element of on-going road maintenance in Norfolk.

The council working group will look at whether a PFI project is the best way to fund the NDR.