Ambulances, patients and staff heading to Norfolk's biggest hospital will face diversions when a £1m roundabout revamp forces a four-week closure of a key road.

Work to make changes to the roundabout at the junction of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital's (N&N) access road and Colney Lane will start on Monday, September 9 and last for six months.

While the roundabout will stay open, Colney Lane East - which leads to the hospital from Round House Way off Newmarket Road - will be closed for four weeks early next year.

Hospital patients, visitors and staff are being asked to use alternative routes and to plan extra time for their journeys.

People are urged to take alternative routes to get to and from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital during work on a key roadPeople are urged to take alternative routes to get to and from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital during work on a key road (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Ambulances and buses will be diverted via Hethersett Lane to reach the hospital.

The work is being done by Bullen Developments and contractors Breheny, as part of a condition of 2013 planning permission for development of Norwich Research Park.

The developer had to improve links to the hospital and research park, including changes to the Colney Lane roundabout to improve traffic flow.

Colney Lane East leads to the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital roundabout from Round Tree WayColney Lane East leads to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital roundabout (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The work should have happened sooner, but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The developer is leading the project, with certain elements being done in partnership with Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk Council, including a new toucan crossing on Colney Lane.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructureGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, acknowledged the work would cause disruption.

He said: "We know this will lead to some delays at this sensitive part of the road network and would ask that people use the alternative routes available and plan their journeys in advance to keep any disruption to a minimum.

"This work will ultimately deliver significant benefits to those needing to access the hospital and the institutions which make up our superb research park."