Get up earlier! That is the suggestion being proposed to commuters as major roadworks contribute to rush hour gridlock in the city centre.
Drivers have reported maddening congestion at peak times in recent weeks, with Riverside Road and Prince of Wales Road in particular coming to a standstill and traffic backing up onto Mousehold Heath.
One problem spot causing the gridlock is the £4.4m worth of controversial changes to the Heartsease roundabout, which started on September 11 and is due to finish in April 2024.
The closures and traffic lights at Heartsease appear to be funnelling more vehicles down Gurney Road, while roadworks at the bottom of Prince of Wales Road have taken up part of one lane.
Graham Plant, Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, has urged drivers to take extra time to try and avoid congestion.
That advice has been deemed "out of touch" to everyone already making the morning drive into the city.
Cllr Plant said: "We understand that this is very frustrating for those trying to pass through and kindly ask for people to plan their journeys ahead and allow extra time where possible."
However, Ben Price, who is both a city and county councillor for the Green Party in Thorpe Hamlet, criticised the comment saying: "Mr Plant is clearly taking people for granted and out of touch with the reality of people’s lives today, who work hard to move the economy forward."
Mr Plant said the roadworks were necessary though, adding: "Work to Heartsease Roundabout is both on a major junction for our network and taking place over several months due to the space restrictions of the area involved.
"Unfortunately, there is never going to be the perfect time to carry out this work but it’s essential that it's completed to improve the roundabout's currently very poor safety record and address people's longstanding concerns over the existing facilities.
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"Since work started disruption has settled down as people get used to the temporary road closures but, understandably, congestion does build up during the peak travel times."
Mr Price believes more needs to be done to let traffic flow freely though, saying: "What Norwich needs is a long-term plan for improving transport around the county helping support people to transition away from their private cars.
"We really need to see greater scrutiny and enforcement of contractors’ work, to make sure that road traffic changes are implemented efficiently, with the least amount of disruption to commuters."
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Martin Booth, Labour district councillor for Sprowston East, added: "I have huge sympathy with the drivers getting stuck every day in the traffic.
"I appreciate contractors need the space to work, but there's always an issue with roadworks in the city.
"Especially with these works at the Heartsease roundabout which will go on until blooming April."
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Despite coming under fire from both local businesses and opposition politicians, the council has defended the length of time it will take to complete the Heartsease works.
There will be a pause on work for Christmas, between December 23 and January 3, adding more time on before it is finished.
The changes to the Heartsease roundabout include one-lane entry and exit, along with new pedestrian and cycle crossings.
Mr Plant said: "We'd like to thank everyone affected by the work for their continued patience while we make these important facilities much safer for everyone."
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