New Heartsease roundabout criticised by Inclusive Norwich

While the newly reconfigured five-way Heartsease junction, which reopened to traffic on May 3, has generally been received positively by people in the area some concerns have been raised about the changes.

Rachael Andrews, vice chairman of Inclusive Norwich, is severely sight impaired and regularly crosses the busy roundabout with her guide dog Biggie.

One of the criticisms of the changes is the crossings are too close to the roundabout (Image: Newsquest)

Rachael, 51, said: "It's a total disaster if you're sight impaired - there's so many issues with the crossing and paths.

"If you're sight impaired you have to listen to traffic to know when to walk along zebra crossings, but the crossings are too close to the roundabout - there's too much going on.

"It makes it so difficult to discern if the traffic has stopped at your crossing or not, as the noise from the roundabout itself confuses you.

Rachael Andrews and her guide dog Biggie (Image: Rachael Andrews)

"There is also no tactile line between the segregated cycle and pedestrian parts - only a painted line and square metal studs which, to my knowledge, are not helping us at all.

"So navigating and staying out of the cycle lane is almost impossible if you can't see the line.

"It's a concern for everyone using it - it's a death trap."

Rachael said the crossing is a concern for everyone using it (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman confirmed Norfolk County Council is looking to install a raised line, higher off the ground, later in the summer to help make things easier.

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He added: "The space available for improvements was limited, which restricted the opportunities to provide clear separation between pedestrians and cyclists.

One of the cyclist and pedestrian crossing at Heartsease roundabout (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"We sought to maximise space by introducing a single lane for motorists and purchasing additional land to add further separation.

"These crossings are installed relatively close to each exit to ensure we offer the shortest possible route for pedestrians and cyclists.

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"Moving crossings further away from the roundabout increases the risk that people will continue to take the shortest route, risking further accident and injury."

The Heartsease round about re-opened to traffic on May 3 after eight months (Image: Mike Page)

Work "necessary" to rectify poor safety record

Amid frustration from businesses and locals during the Heartsease roundabout's eight-month closure, the county council was keen to point out the area's poor safety record.

When announcing the £4.4m scheme, the authority highlighted 33 recorded safety incidents between July 2011 and November 2022, including injuries to 15 cyclists and eight pedestrians.

In comparison, the similarly busy Earlham Fiveways roundabout had 38 injuries reported in a 10-year period up until 2018 which led to safety improvements that were completed in August 2019.

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A county council spokeswoman said in February: "The area has experienced an exceptionally poor safety record with more than 30 reported accidents in a 10-year period, many of those involving casualties of people walking or cycling.

"The work at Heartsease roundabout is necessary to ensure this key city junction is safe for everyone."

Praise since reopening has included Derek Williams, of the Norwich Cycling Campaign, saying it was a "much better design".