Norwich levels off infamous tree pits in cycle lane – claims that was always the plan

You may remember the new segregated cycle lane that was being built in Norwich with trees in the middle of it. Transport for Norwich has now filled in the pits in which the trees were planted, claiming that this had always been its intention.

The cycle lane has been constructed on the footway on one side of Prince of Wales Road, which runs between the city centre and the railway station.

Norwich Cycling Campaign said that the “inept design” with tree pits dotted along its length would make the city “a laughing stock.” Each tree bed stretched more than halfway across the lane.

The BBC reports that each bed has now been levelled off with asphalt.

A spokesperson for Transport for Norwich said: "It was always the intention for the tree pits to be levelled off to provide a suitable area for cycling and while this design would have been perfectly safe we can understand why some concerns have been raised around their appearance.

"Temporary repairs have been carried out to allow this section of the route to be opened while we look at a more permanent solution in keeping with the rest of the design."

You can see the repairs here:

Jeff Jordan, of Norwich Cycling Campaign, said: "The tree pits have been filled in but the material used will crumble with use and tree growth – the trunks are expected to double in diameter.

"The material has no substantial foundation yet will form the cycle track surface. Tree roots could also lift the paving and break up the material."