Hospital bosses have urged patients and visitors to consider alternative routes when six months of work gets under way on a £1m roundabout revamp.

As revealed, 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.

Colney Lane East, which leads to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, will be closed for four weeksColney Lane East, which leads to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, will be closed for four weeks (Image: Sonya Duncan)

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.

The work will mean ambulances, staff, patients and visitors, will face potential delays and disruption.

And bosses at the hospital said people should look at alternative routes and consider using park and ride services.

Patients and visitors to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are urged to consider alternative routes when roundabout revamp work startsPatients and visitors to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are urged to consider alternative routes when roundabout revamp work starts (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Alternative routes are via Hethersett Lane and Rosalind Franklin Road, to reach the multi-storey car park and the hospital access road.

Simon HackwellSimon Hackwell (Image: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital)

Simon Hackwell, director of strategy and major projects at the N&N, said: "We welcome any work that is being carried out, which helps to improve access to the hospital.

"Unfortunately, this is likely to cause some delays for people visiting and working at the hospital, therefore we ask that people look for the alternative routes available and plan their journeys in advance so that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

"We would strongly encourage the use of the number 510 Park and Ride service from Costessey which only costs £1 for a return journey."

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

Colney Lane East will be shut early next yearColney Lane East will be shut early next year (Image: Sonya Duncan)

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

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.