The groups opposed to the Car Park include Earlham Road Residents’ Group, the Yare Valley Society, cycling groups from UEA and the research parks, Norwich Friends of the Earth, the Norwich Green Party and a staff and student group at UEA, the Sustainable Transport Action Group (STAG).

This decision flies in the face of UEA’s reputation as a top-rated university for teaching environmental sciences, researching climate change, and for hosting the Community Carbon Reduction Project, CRed, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions in East Anglia by 60% by 2025, ahead of government targets.

“Local residents will be shocked by this news” says Beth Brockett, research associate in the Environmental Sciences Department at UEA and STAG coordinator, “They can expect more pollution and congestion in their area. The campaign to prevent this unnecessary development will continue, and we call on University bosses to think again. We will lobby the university to involve staff, students and the local community in finding a more sustainable approach. For example, follow in the footsteps of other universities and provide free bus passes to first year students, whilst working with the local bus companies to improve public transport. At a fraction of the cost, this would bring immediate benefit to local residents and improve public transport in Norwich. By reducing congestion, it would also help those who have to commute in by car.”

Professor Tim O’Riordan (from the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment): “It is important that the University enters into serious dialogue with a wide range of interested parties on this issue. The University of East Anglia has a world-respected reputation for environmental science research and teaching. This includes offering advice on sustainability practices for businesses and the community generally. Surely we should be leading the way in our own sustainability. I hope the University administration will still take the demands for consultation on board and utilises our experts in establishing an environmentally sustainable travel and transport future for the campus”.

Local resident groups are furious at the decision. Jo Clarke of the Earlham Road Residents’ Group draws attention to the issues faced by local residents “UEA is supposed to champion sustainable solutions to environmental problems – but this decision undermines local faith in their commitment to the environment and local people. Air pollution and noise levels which are already bad will simply get worse, and road safety problems will be exacerbated by the increased number of car journeys.”

Dr Andrew Boswell, STAG member and UEA member of staff, says "This is a bad day for Norfolk. UEA has a positive reputation for its work on local environmental sustainability and climate change, for example the CRed programme and the Tyndall Centre for climate change research. On one hand, the university works hard to prevent climate change, and with the other hand the decision promotes car use and, if implemented, will contribute to climate change which is expected to drastically increase flooding in Norfolk this century. UEA must not loose this real opportunity to implement best environmental practice and fund a variety of cheaper, more sustainable solutions by developing its sustainable transport policy.”


Dr John Thurman of the Yare Valley Society says "By developing this car park, long-term car use will be encouraged, leading to further congestion, pollution and environmental damage to the area. All stakeholders: the council, the university, the hospital, and residents should be involved in the investigation and development of sustainable transport options. We believe that there are alternatives which do not conflict with the expansion of the University and which would prevent irreversible damage to West Norwich and the Yare Valley."

STAG is organising an open meeting on the project on Monday January 17th 17.30-19.30 in room 128 upstairs in Union House at the UEA, and is also organising a fundraising event tba – please visit the website www.creamed-coconut.org/stag for more details.