A review is set to be carried out into whether nearly £2 million spent on active travel improvements in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston delivered value for money.

Norfolk County Council members have backed a motion calling for an investigation into a series of schemes delivered on Middleton Road and Church Lane in Gorleston, and Jellicoe Road in Great Yarmouth.

Funded through Active Travel England (ATE), the projects introduced measures designed to encourage walking and cycling, including new pedestrian crossings and dedicated cycle lanes. The works also involved changes to road and pavement layouts.

The motion was put forward by the Great Yarmouth First (GYF) party, which raised concerns about the impact of the schemes on residents, businesses and motorists.

GYF councillor Barry Gravenell said some of the changes had made it more difficult for vehicles to pass through affected areas and claimed sections of pavement had become too narrow for comfortable pedestrian use.

The schemes were funded through an Active Travel England allocation of just under £2 million. At the time, the council said the funding was specifically intended for projects that promote walking, wheeling and cycling.

Councillors voted in favour of a review that will examine the effectiveness of the schemes, assess whether they provided value for money and consider how future active travel projects should be evaluated.

The review follows feedback from local businesses and residents, with some questioning whether the benefits of the schemes justify the changes made to the road network.

Former council leader Kay Mason Billig said she understood the projects had received support from organisations including a nearby school and football club. However, she criticised what she described as a system that can leave local authorities delivering projects driven by national funding priorities rather than local decision-making.

The debate comes as the Government continues to promote active travel as part of its wider transport strategy.

Last week, the Department for Transport published its latest active travel strategy, setting out plans to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible. The strategy includes additional support for local authorities and a new £10 million fund to help councils trial innovative measures aimed at increasing active travel and improving road safety.