Heartsease Roundabout

Start: Monday 11 September

Completion: Friday 3 May 2024

Why we've made the changes to the roundabout

• It has a poor safety record
• No designated crossing facilities
• No dropped kerbs on three arms, making it difficult to cross for people with restricted mobility, as well as those using pushchairs and wheelchairs
• A strong public demand for additional pedestrian crossings and improvements for cycling

Aim of the completed project

• Improve the accessibility and safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the Heartsease Fiveways junction
• Include new pedestrian and cycle crossings and footway improvements
• Improvements to signage for current cycling routes in the surrounding area

Main project features

• Changing the alignment of the roundabout so there is only one circulatory lane around the roundabout
• The changes will make the roundabout more compact and bring it in line with current highways guidance so that the fall of the surface is outward to help drainage and keep vehicle speeds down. The surface of the current roundabout falls inwards
• Each arm of the roundabout to have a single lane entry and exit
• New parallel crossings for those walking and cycling on all arms of the roundabout
• Improvements to signage for existing cycle routes in the area to encourage the use of quiet residential streets for cycling
• Pavements around the roundabout converted to shared-use pedestrian and cycle paths and widened to segregated pedestrian/cycle paths where possible

Background

Norfolk County Council and the Transport for Norwich (TfN) partnership consulted on a series of improvements to the Heartsease roundabout in Norwich at the end of 2022.

The final scheme was approved for construction in July 2023, with work planned to start on site in September.

View the original consultation material on the Consultation Hub website.

View the Individual cabinet member decision report to approve the scheme.

This project has been funded through the Transforming Cities Fund. The Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded £32m of funding to TfN from the Transforming Cities Fund to deliver a range of schemes across Greater Norwich.

By supporting improvements to sustainable modes of transport, these projects aim to improve:

• Access to jobs
• Access to training
• Access to retail
• Issues around air quality

Find out more about our application to the DfT and all the proposed schemes.

Frequently asked questions

About the changes to the junction

Why do we need the junction changes?

The local community have long campaigned for improved crossing facilities around the roundabout. Some residents currently have to travel a considerable distance to cross the road safely, to access local amenities. There is also a poor safety record for pedestrians and cyclists at this roundabout. 68% of the recorded injury accidents over the past 10 years involving pedestrians or cyclists.
This proposal will provide a safe way for those on foot or cycle to cross on all arms of the roundabout.

Single lane entry and exit on all arms will safely facilitate the new crossings. This will also improve safety for all road users by reducing vehicle speeds. It will remove confusion, hesitation and conflict on this key junction of the outer ring road.

What the proposal includes

See overview above

Why are the proposed crossings zebra crossings not signalised?

Zebra crossings give priority to pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. This allows for shorter waiting times. The safe installation of zebra crossings can also be closer to the roundabout, compared to traffic signals. This reduces the distance that people need to walk and cycle when navigating the roundabout.

The crossings look very close to the roundabout is this safe?

This scheme has been designed to national guidance and standards. These crossings will be on the 'desire line' for pedestrians and cyclists navigating the roundabout. Thus, reducing the number of people crossing the road away from designated crossing points.

Active Travel England have shared an example of a successful project. This was the installation of parallel zebra crossings on all arms of a roundabout. In the four years since its completion, this project saw a large reduction in pedestrian and cyclist collisions.

Why are the shared use areas subject to land availability?

For shared footway and cycling facilities to be created, a minimum footpath width is required. In some places on this scheme this can only be achieved by acquiring adjacent land. Only the shared use areas either side of Harvey Lane are subject to land availability.

What happens if the land is not available?

There would be insufficient pavement width to provide shared use facilities in this location. We believe this outcome is unlikely.

Why are the pavements shared use and not fully segregated for walking and cycling?

We always seek to provide dedicated provision for both those on foot or cyles. There is insufficient space to provide fully segregated facilities in this location.

Active Travel England are the government body responsible for overseeing the delivery of new cycle infrastructure. They have reviewed our draft proposals. Our provision, given the constraints of the environment, is satisfactory.

What provisions are being made for cyclists that want to stay on the road rather than use shared use paths?

Shared use facilities are more useful and safer for less confident, more vulnerable cyclists, such as children. We also recognise that other more confident cyclists will prefer to remain on the road.
The improved design of roundabout will reduce the speeds of vehicles on the roundabout. It will also improve the circulatory flow of traffic, making it easier to identify safe gaps. This will make it easier for cyclists choosing to use the road to enter the roundabout whilst reducing the risk of injury to cyclists.

The implementation of a similar roundabout design at Earlham Fiveways roundabout, near the University of East Anglia, has seen a significant improvement in pedestrian and cyclist safety.

We will also promote alternative cycle routes for those wishing to avoid the roundabout.

Shared use areas cause conflict between those walking and cycling and shouldn't be in use

The Department for Transport's cycle infrastructure design guidance (opens new window) says to avoid shared use where possible. But it accepts that in constrained environments they will still be necessary. We seek to minimise shared use areas wherever possible. We have worked with Active Travel England to ensure our proposals meet the expected government standards.

Some shared use areas are unavoidable in this location. They need all users to be aware of their environment and act in a responsible and considerate manner.
We recognise that some cyclists will prefer to remain on the road and the proposals include improvements for these cyclists too. Please see earlier response on provisions being made for cyclists wanting to stay on the road.

Why was the Dutch style option previously reported discounted?

We tested the Dutch style roundabout with traffic modelling. We found it to have an unacceptable increase in delays for drivers. This option would have also required significantly more land than is currently available at this location.

What would happen to current parking facilities either side of Harvey Lane?

The scheme will only require relatively small areas of land to create shared use facilities. We will work closely with these landowners to minimise the impact on parking requirements

Why are you removing the existing signalised crossing on Harvey Lane?

To provide new segregated crossing facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists, across all arms of the roundabout, including on Harvey Lane. The new crossing location will be in a more convenient location than the existing signalised crossing.

Are any new areas of double yellow lines proposed?

Only on the south side of St Williams Way (15m in length) and for 36m along the north side of Plumstead Road East. As St Williams Way would become narrower, any parked cars in this location would block the road. The Plumstead Road East restriction would improve visibility/safety for residents exiting driveways.

Will there be a segregated cycle lane on both sides to the north of Heartsease Lane?

We are not currently proposing to install any more cycle lane facilities on Heartsease Lane as part of this proposal. We may explore this as part of a future scheme should funding be available.

What exactly are the footway improvements proposed?

A combination of resurfacing and in some location's pavement widening too.

Currently there are no nearby designated crossing facilities on 4 of the 5 arms of the roundabout. This makes it very difficult for pedestrians to safely cross a busy intersection. This scheme will provide new/improved crossings on all arms of the roundabout.

Addressing concerns for general traffic

Will these proposals result in increased delays to vehicles using the roundabout?

We have carried out traffic modelling to determine the best solution to the problem. Aiming to minimise the impact on general traffic as much as possible.

These proposals will reduce the capacity of the roundabout. We expect fewer delays as some traffic opts to use alternative routes. This includes the A1270 Broadland Northway. which opened in 2018. This will reduce unnecessary traffic travelling through the area. Meaning an improvement to the quality of life for nearby residents and visitors.

Would this proposal lead to rat running through residential streets?

We will monitor the side roads around the roundabout before and after the improvements take place. This will help determine if there is an increase in vehicles using these roads inappropriately to avoid the roundabout. If these surveys show there is a need, there may be the implementation of traffic calming measures.

Would neighbouring streets need traffic calming?

We will determine the need for traffic calming by monitoring the roads before and after the scheme delivery. If we find an increase in inappropriate traffic using resident streets, we can install traffic calming measures. Only if supported by residents. These proposals will be subject to further consultation later.