The first phase of a major £4m revamp of one of Norwich's busiest roads has been extended into the new year. 

The controversial work on Dereham Road in Costessey began in September and was scheduled to be completed before Christmas ahead of the next phase of work in 2024. 

The roadworks will now be extended by up to four weeks into January due to additional drainage and carriageway resurfacing work required at the Folwell Road junction.

The existing road closure at the Folwell Road junction will remain in place until this work has been completed.

The 60m of cycleway to the east of the Stafford Avenue junction that was due to be completed has also been held up due to unexpected utilities works.

However, the footway next to the proposed cycleway is now in place and open for public use.

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The next section of the work is set to begin on January 8 and will be carried out in phases until July, focussing on the Bowthorpe Travel Hub.

The existing road closure at Three Mile Lane will continue for the duration of this phase and an additional closure will be in place between the Three Mile Lane junction and the northern roundabout exit from January 8 until April 8. 

The current temporary 20mph speed limit in place between the Longwater Lane junction and Grays Fair junction will also be extended until the end of April and the same limit will be required from Stafford Avenue to the west of the Norwich Road junction from January 8 until the end of July.

The existing bus stops at Breckland Road will be kept open for the early part of the programme but the city-bound bus stop on the northside of Dereham Road will be temporarily suspended.

While work on a new crossing takes place, there will also be a short period of overnight road closures required along Dereham Road.