The next phase of a controversial shake-up in how traffic gets around Norwich city centre will get underway next week.

Eastern Daily Press: Graphic map thumbnailGraphic map thumbnail (Image: Archant)

Click here to view the graphic in full

Work started in Chapel Field North last month, following earlier work to install a bus lane in Grapes Hill.

It is part of a £1.7m Transport for Norwich scheme - which will ultimately also see general traffic banned from St Stephens Street.

The work has shut Chapel Field North, forcing drivers to take diversions and, next week, more changes will come into effect.

On Tuesday, Little Bethel Street will be permanently closed to traffic and both Cleveland Road and Bethel Street will become two-way.

That will mean traffic can enter and leave the area - including the Forum car park - via the Grapes Hill roundabout.

Traffic from Cleveland Road on to Grapes Hill roundabout will be controlled by give-way signs until permanent traffic signals come into use when the Chapel Field North scheme is completed in the autumn.

Council bosses are aiming for all work to be finished by the middle of November - in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Once Chapel Field Road re-opens, general traffic will only be able to get as far as the Chantry car park or to disabled bays on Brigg Street, but buses, taxis and bicycles will be able to carry on into Rampant Horse Street towards Red Lion Street.

General traffic will also be banned from St Stephens Street and Surrey Street, from All Saints Green to St Stephens.

The Chapel Field Action Group had hoped to secure a judicial review of the decision to make Chapel Field North two-way.

They claimed the noise and vibration of an endless flow of heavy traffic would threaten the foundations and fabric of some of the most attractive and historically important homes in the city.

But judge Elizabeth Cooke rejected all their arguments,

• What do you think of the changes? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.