The £1m revamp of a roundabout close to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) will sever a key route for cyclists, according to angry campaigners.

Six months of work on the roundabout, at the junction of the NNUH's access road and Colney Lane, started in September.

Six months of work has begun at the roundabout near the Norfolk and Norwich University HospitalSix months of work has begun at the roundabout near the NNUH (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Members of the Norwich Cycling Campaign have slammed the changes, saying they make it harder for cyclists to get to and from the county's biggest hospital.

Norfolk County Council says it has had assurances from the developers behind the scheme over pedalway provision.

But campaigners say the changes will mean the pink pedalway - which connects the hospital to Heartsease, via Norwich city centre - will be severed.

At the moment cyclists using the route can cross Colney Lane, using a shared-use crossing on the southern arm of the roundabout.

The current route for cyclistsThe current route for cyclists (Image: Open Street Map)

However, the campaign claims that route is removed in the plans, meaning cyclists will have to dismount to get across.

Peter Silburn, chairman of Norwich Cycling CampaignPeter Silburn, chairman of Norwich Cycling Campaign (Image: Norwich Cycling Campaign)

Peter Silburn, chairman of the campaign, said: "We were shocked to see the plans approved for construction show not only that there is no southern cycle route but that there is no cycle route around the north either.

"Having crossed over at the toucan, cyclists are expected to dismount for the crossing of the main hospital access road and walk their bikes all the way around to the cycle track by the southern arm.

The new route cyclists will need to takeThe new route Norwich Cycling Campaign says cyclists will need to take (Image: Norwich Cycling Campaign)

"The pink pedalway has been severed at one of the busiest sections on the network."

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.

A county council spokesman said: "The scheme developer has assured us that the cycleway is being retained and although there will be pinch points on the southern side of the roundabout, the path will continue to be shared use to the new crossing facility.

"Safety is paramount at such a high-profile and busy location and this scheme will deliver significant benefits in terms of enabling active travel for pedestrians and cyclists."