Campaigners fighting for safety improvements at a busy Norwich roundabout have today been given hope by transport bosses.

Almost 750 signatures were collected in a petition calling for a pedestrian crossing at the roundabout in Dereham Road and Guardian Road.

This was handed to Norfolk County Council's cabinet today by Ian Boreham, of Olive Road, in Costessey, and Marcus Hemsley, Norwich Wensum county councillor.

Graham Plant, cabinet member for transportation, replied that the junction has been looked at as part of improving bus services in Dereham Road. He said: 'Whilst I cannot at this stage confirm the timing of any works at the Dereham Road/Guardian Road junction, I am pleased to say that when proposed improvements are taken forward, they will include improvements for pedestrians.'

Mr Boreham said he welcomed the news that action will 'finally be taken'.

Darcy Smith, aged nine, of Hellesdon Road, revived the issue in April, almost seven years since his sister Megan first launched a campaign in the Evening News. As of April this year, there had been 22 accidents causing injury at the junction since Megan's initial plea for improvements.

Bert Bremner, Norwich City Council cabinet member for environment and development, said he fully supported the need for 'far better pedestrian and bike crossings' at the junction.

He said the constant flow of fast traffic, especially large lorries, was a 'danger to children, parents with pushchairs, the less mobile and the disabled'.