Heartsease Fiveways roundabout reopens

Work on the final phase of improvements to Heartsease Fiveways roundabout in Norwich is finished, with all roads in the area now reopened.

The roundabout has been closed in all directions since 13 April to carry out the final construction and resurfacing work needed to complete the project.

Up to five weeks (until 18 May) had been programmed for this phase to allow for any potential delays due to bad weather or issues on site but conditions have been favourable for surface materials to dry quickly and the work itself has gone smoothly, allowing the area to reopen after three weeks.

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "I'm delighted to be able to say that we have now completed these important safety improvements at Heartsease. I know it's been a particularly long period of disruption for all those living, working or travelling through the area and I would like to say thank you once again for everyone's patience, both since work began and during the recent closure period.

"The completed project is designed to bring significant safety improvements to the area, which had a poor accident record and no proper crossing facilities on three of its five approaching roads. These changes have not only addressed these issues but have also connected the local community and will make travelling through the junction much easier for the many residents, business customers, school children and commuters, who use it."

Completion of work also sees the return of normal bus services for a number of routes, which have been on diversion during recent weeks.

Work on the project began last September and has been carried out by Norfolk County Council and its contractors. The project budget was around £4.4m and funded mainly through Transforming Cities Fund money awarded to the County Council by the central government's Department for Transport (DfT).

For full details of the work that's taken place, along with more details on the history of the project, please visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/heartsease.