Verdict of Heartsease folk as Norwich roundabout reopens

Motorists were allowed onto the Heartsease roundabout for the first time in nearly eight months on Friday.

The reconfigured five-way junction has been narrowed to one lane and several safety improvements have been introduced, including cycle paths and wider pedestrian crossings.

The roundabout has seen a number of safety improvements made (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Work on the roundabout has taken nearly eight months (Image: Newsquest)

Anne Martin, owner of the Great Eastern Railway model shop in Plumstead Road, said she is "over the moon" that the roundabout has reopened.

"It's absolutely wonderful," she said. "Within minutes of it opening there were buses coming through and the Aldi car park was full, just like how it was before.

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"I know there's been a lot of negativity about it but it seems to be working well so far with traffic flowing and no beeping that I can hear.

Anne Martin, the owner of Great Eastern Railway Models in Plumstead Road (Image: Newsquest)

"And it will be great for all the nearby businesses to have the through trade again."

A Norfolk police spokeswoman confirmed no crashes had been reported in the first four days since the reopening.

Derek Williams, of the Norwich Cycling Campaign, was previously outspoken about the changes being made but said it worked "quite well" after riding his bicycle around it on the opening day. 

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"Drivers are still coming off the junction far too quickly but it's a much better design now and an improvement on the extremely dangerous junction that was there before," he said.

Derek Williams, from Norwich Cycling Campaign (Image: THOMAS WOODS)

Locals are 'over the moon' after the Heartsease roundabout reopened following a £4.4m revamp (Image: The Heartsease Fiveways roundabout has reopened)

"And they've put the pedestrian crossings in the right place because people are more likely to cross closer to the roundabout itself."

He added: "It's not exactly what we wanted but if they were going to put in a Dutch-style roundabout that would be even safer they would have to demolish all the shops and homes nearby, so they're stuck between a rock and a hard place really."

Ms Martin and Mr Williams both added that "time will tell" whether the revamp has made any difference.

Businesses on the adjoining roads are pleased to see the busy junction reopen (Image: Newsquest)