Doubts over the future of the motorcycle park, in St Peter's Street, surfaced after a Norwich City Council consultation about a multi-million-pound shake-up of Norwich Market and the surrounding area.

In that consultation, there was a question as to how people felt about "rethinking the use of the motorcycle park".

Around a third wanted it removed or repurposed, with some concerned about the noise, but others said it was a well‑used social hub which should not be lost.

Bikers themselves called on the council to retain it, saying it has been used for decades by motorcyclists heading into the city and to the market.

Dozens of bikers parked their machines in the motorcycle park on Wednesday night, as representatives presented a petition to the Labour-controlled city council's cabinet.

The motorcycle park near Norwich Market (Image: Owen Sennitt)

Concerns mounted further after digging work started in the area - although the city council said those were Norfolk County Council highways work and nothing to do with City Hall.

Anna Wright, who started and presented the 2,142-signature petition, said: "It's one of the fastest growing petitions this chamber has seen in recent memory, gathering over 1,000 signatures in the past four days alone.

"To put that in perspective, this response is more than triple the 691 people who responded to the council's original market consultation.

"The public mandate to protect this 90-year-old transport and social pup is therefore undeniable."

Carli Harper, Norwich City Council cabinet member for finance and major projects (Image: Newsquest)

Carli Harper, the council's cabinet member for finance and major projects, said there were not - and had never been - any plans to move the motorcycle park.

She said: "To be absolutely clear, the consultation did not include any proposal to close the motorcycle park, nor did it involve any proposals regarding its removal or relocation.

"The consultation included one question about the motorcycle park as part of a much wider exercise intended to gather views on how the visions market and this adjoining public space is used.

"The council has not developed any proposals for changes to the motorcycle parking area or the wider public ground."

Mrs Wright said: "A no plan statement is a start, but it is not a safeguard. As a 90-year-old facility that supports mental health, prevents social isolation, provides safe and central parking for able-bodied and disabled bikers and their friends, which only enhances market trade sales, this site deserves more than a temporary reprieve."

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