In the news

There has been a lot of talk in the local newspapers about the cost of a particular project.

Has the cost of the Marine Parade / Regent Road project gone up?

In simple terms, the project has changed dramatically from the initial concepts as a result of consultation and the detailed design process.

CABE – the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, worked with the inteGREAT team to develop a master plan for inteGREAT and beyond. This has a significant influence on the quality of the materials used, particularly in the large paved area between Regent Road and Britannia Pier.

The Landscape Partnership, commissioned to undertake the landscape design element of the Regent Road / Marine Parade project in Spring 05, developed the designs with Norfolk County Council’s Planning and Transportation Department , in consultation with CABE and with the benefit of the results from various consultations with key stakeholders (residents, visitors, businesses etc).

As a result of various consultations, aspirations are for a high quality scheme with a two-way slow lane on the seaward side of the road, which means extensive highway reconstruction, resurfacing and adjustment of all kerb lines and surface water drainage for the length of Marine Parade. The scheme has also been extended from the original concept to include the area in front of the Pleasure Beach, to address residents concerns over safety of parking in the centre of the road and anti social driver behaviour.

The desire for a high quality scheme from all parties involved, including residents and businesses, has been endorsed by the Management and Board of inteGREAT and by the Funding Partners.

The original budget was produced for a scheme concept which did not involve major reconstruction of the existing carriageway along Marine Parade. In effect, the concept involved changing road markings and some minor reconstruction works in small areas. As a result of the project development, the final scheme has evolved considerably.

The project now includes a high concentration of natural stone paving and carriageway reconstruction in the Hollywood area, with specialist lighting and landscaping. The aim is to deliver a ‘Wow’ factor, to improve pedestrian flows between the seafront and the town centre and to provide new trading opportunities.

The existing project budget is 5.2 million for the Regent Road and Hollywood area. It will cost another 2.0 million to extend the project as far as St Peter’s Road with a further 3.0 million to complete the project right up to and alongside the Pleasure Beach.