Major improvements at Heartsease roundabout create a better junction for all
Norfolk County Council's £4.4 million transformation of the Heartsease roundabout has delivered major safety upgrades and faster, more reliable travel for everyone using one of Norwich's busiest junctions.
Data collected since the junction reopened in May 2024 shows that the improvements are providing positive results for car drivers, bus passengers and people walking, wheeling and cycling across it.
Before the improvements, the roundabout had recorded more than 30 safety incidents over ten years, including injuries to 15 cyclists and eight pedestrians. Since reopening, the junction has seen just one recorded minor accident involving a cyclist.
Given the high number of daily users, this is now considered a low overall accident record and a significant improvement. Particularly notable when this has happened alongside a dramatic increase in pedestrians and cyclists at the junction.
The upgraded layout, including improved crossings and better cycling infrastructure, is encouraging more active travel. Monitoring has shown a 23% increase in pedestrians and a 275% increase in cyclists at the junction.
In addition to our own traffic counts, data from Beryl our shared mobility scheme in the city that there has been an 87% increase in the number of e-scooters crossing the roundabout alongside a 132% increase in the number of e-bikes.
This sharp uptake in bikes, e-scooters and pedestrians demonstrates growing confidence in the safety and convenience of the new design giving more people the opportunity to leave the car at home.
A key part of the scheme was to improve the flow of traffic through the junction. Recent data has shown that journey times across the roundabout have reduced by an average of up to 13%.
These improvements are helping to ensure more reliable bus services on this route while also easing congestion and speeding up journey times for all motorists.
Cllr Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said; "These improvements at Heartsease Roundabout show exactly what can be achieved when we deliver these major improvement projects for our county. While we know that during the works it can be disruptive for our residents, the benefits we see once complete mean a better travel experience for everyone.
"This junction was once a hotspot for accidents and delays, and it's now performing better across the board, however people travel. I'm especially pleased to see the huge rise in people walking and cycling, which is a clear sign that the public feels safer and more confident using the space. This scheme really has delivered a brilliant outcome for the whole community."
