Concerned folk living in an estate who feared being trapped in their homes for four months by road closures have breathed a huge sigh of relief.
People living in Tills Road and Lowry Cole Road in Sprowston were shocked to see a Norfolk County Council sign, at the only point of entry to the estate, saying it would be closed from next Monday for "footway works".
The proposed closure announced just a week before it was due to take place had homeowners, businesses and vulnerable people worried they would be trapped.
However, after an intervention from the Evening News, the council has rescheduled the work.
Jessica Brown, 32, who lives in Tills Road with her husband and four children, said: "I first noticed the sign last Friday evening at the entrance to the estate.
"My immediate thought was how we're going to get out because my husband works and I need to get the children to school.
"I called the council who didn't know and was told if I couldn't get to my driveway to just 'park elsewhere'.
"The closest road is North Walsham Road, which is public and we'd just be annoying the residents there.
"We all understand work needs to be done but the council should tell us how things are going to operate."
Steve Bayton has worked as a mechanic out of his home, on the corner of Tills Road and Lowry Cole Road, for the last 30 years.
He added: "The council can't be closing all the roads.
"This is basically my office here and it's extremely important because customers come and drop their cars off.
"I had someone the other day who asked me about it because they saw the sign.
"But I have no idea what's happening because no one has been updated on things.
"It feels like it's been done so quickly and on the sly."
While Mr Bayton was speaking to the Evening News, the sign mysteriously disappeared.
The council now say letters will be going out to people affected and "arriving on doorsteps in the coming days".
Adrian Howe, who has lived in Tills Road for 45 years, said: "There's been no communication whatsoever.
"They surely can't shut it all down because there's only one entrance in and out.
"Not many people have driveways so I have to park on the road, but if they shut it, I don't know what I'll do.
"There are lots of people who require carers to come in and out, or are carers themselves, that need access."
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Selene Roberts has lived in Tills Road for the last year and requires carers at her home twice a day.
She added: "I suffer from severe anxiety and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
"I have a carer here to help and I had no idea about the roadworks until Tuesday, when my mum happened to see the sign coming in.
"I can't walk very far and require deliveries for our shopping, so what's going to happen if they can't get here?
"Having access in and out from my home is paramount for my safety and wellbeing."
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The work has now been rescheduled for "early 2025", with a county council spokesman saying: "We've sent a letter to the residents affected to advise them of the change, which should be arriving on doorsteps in the coming days.
"Further information regarding the work will be sent ahead of the revised date to keep residents informed.
"We will always aim to keep disruption to a minimum and make sure that people can still access their homes and businesses while the work is being carried out."
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