Heartsease Roundabout in Norwich slammed after flooding

County Hall spent £4.4m on improving Heartsease Roundabout, but three weeks after the work was completed water had started gathering on the road surface during heavy rain.

John William, from Dussindale Drive in Thorpe St Andrew, criticised Norfolk County Council for a “substandard piece of work” after he noticed the roundabout was flooded.

A section of the roundabout is prone to flooding in heavy rainfall (Image: John William)

Officials at Norfolk County Council confirmed that they are aware that there have been issues with flooding at the site.

A spokesman said: "The issue was initially thought to be a blocked gully.

"Further investigations are needed to fully understand the cause but it is not believed to be linked to the recent highway changes at the roundabout.

"We cannot confirm when it will be fixed until investigations are completed later this week.”

The Heartsease Roundabout opened to traffic on May 3 (Image: Mike Page)

Mr William was cycling around the Heartsease Roundabout at the end of May when he noticed that it was flooded.

"After spending £4.4m on the new roundabout the first downpour falls and the road floods.

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"This is disgusting and simply a substandard piece of work.

"Someone must have authorised the sign-off of the substandard work and not only should they be held accountable but the defect should be rectified at zero cost to the ratepayers."

Norfolk County Council is aware of the flooding concerns (Image: Sonya Duncan)

John delved into the Norfolk County Council Transport Asset Management Plan, which outlines that new roads should have systems in place to help prevent surface water pooling on roads, pavements and cycle routes while also reducing water damage to surfaces.

"It therefore appears that the criteria set out have not been met," he said.

"I'd like to know who inspected the work here."

A HISTORY OF ISSUES

This is not the first criticism the roundabout has faced.

Inclusive Norwich, a charity that campaigns to make Norwich accessible and inclusive for people with any kind of disability or impairment, has described the roundabout as "a total disaster if you're sight impaired".

The roadworks at the site took seven months to complete and caused traffic chaos while parts of the roundabout were closed off.

The work was deemed necessary after more than 30 safety incidents happened at the site in a decade, including injuries to 15 cyclists and eight pedestrians.