Months of roadworks to start at major junction

Drivers are being warned that delays are likely when the roadworks begin

The first phase of roadworks to improve a major route into Norwich for cyclists and pedestrians starts on Monday and is set to last until November.

The £2.2m upgrade will extend the "yellow pedalway" route along the A140 Holt Road between Middletons Lane in Hellesdon, and Broadland Northway, known locally as the Northern Distributor Road.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council's Conservative cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, told BBC Radio Norfolk it would ultimately benefit "isolated communities that don't have safe cycling access to the city".

Local people and business said they were expecting "quite a lot of disruption" but broadly welcomed the plans.

Temporary traffic signals will be in operation at the junction of the A140 Holt Road, Middletons Lane and Amsterdam Way

Temporary traffic lights will be installed at the A140 junction with Amsterdam Way, by Norwich Airport, overnight on Sunday,

They will start operating from Monday between 07:00 and 19:00 until mid-November while a new pedestrian and cycle crossing is installed.

"It will also improve public transport access to the airport and to community sports facilities at The Nest, enabling those who live nearby to safely walk or cycle there," said Plant.

Lacey Douglass, Conservative member for Hellesdon South East on Broadland District Council, said residents were expecting "disruption" but that ultimately local people would benefit from being able to walk or cycle to the countryside.

"We have a real lack of green spaces in Hellesdon, so that is a positive," she said.

Sanders Coaches said the "bulk" of its services used the A140 between Norwich and north Norfolk

Charles Sanders, managing director of Sanders Coaches, said of the potential disruption that: "We'll just have to see how it goes and hopefully passengers will bear with us.

"We're really hoping it won't get too bad."

The work will include the upgrading and widening of traffic signals, islands and footpaths.

Work on the paths outside residential properties will be completed in early 2026.

The third and final phase linking the upgraded route to the Broadland Northway will happen next year, at a date to be announced.