After four years of being a focal point of the city skyline, the crane towering over Norwich Castle is to be removed.

Spanning 136ft, the tower crane has loomed over the castle after being put up in September 2020 as major renovations began.

The machinery was used to transport materials in and out of the contractor's compound in Castle Gardens.

The castle before the works on the Royal Palace beganThe castle before the works on the Royal Palace began (Image: Newsquest) The crane has been towered over the castle since 2020The crane has towered over the castle since 2020 (Image: Norfolk Museums Service)

The official date for the crane to be dismantled has been announced as November 25 and 26, although is dependent on good weather.

To allow the removal of the crane to take place, certain paths around the castle will close from November 18 to December 3.

READ MORE: How Norwich Castle keep is being transformed in major revamp

Although this marks a major milestone in the Royal Palace Reborn project, visitors will have to continue to wait before they can return to the castle.

A Norfolk County Council spokesman said: "Work inside the keep will continue for several months yet as the recreated Norman spaces take their final shape with a projected full reopening of the keep in spring 2025."

The arrival of the tower crane in September 2020.The arrival of the tower crane in September 2020 (Image: Beth Moseley. © Norfolk Museums Service) Work on the £20m redevelopment of the museum and its Norman keep started in the summer of 2020.

However, the project has been plagued with delays being affected by the Covid pandemic and difficulties obtaining steel because of the war in Ukraine.

And in 2022 a man was criticised for his "very serious and dangerous stunt" after he filmed himself parachuting from the top of the crane.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for communities at Norfolk County Council, said: “Without the tower crane there would be no Royal Palace Reborn project – it’s been central to the complex construction work which will ultimately enable us to recreate the palace of the Norman kings.

"While those of us who live and work in the city centre have grown used to its impressive presence, it will undoubtedly be nice to have an uninterrupted view of the castle once more."