Cycle accident hotspots in Norwich will be upgraded in a £170,000 scheme after the city scooped a slice of government cash.

Norwich has been awarded £85,000 from the Department for Transport – which will be match-funded by Norfolk County Council – to improve five dangerous junctions over the next year.

The plans include the extension of the cycle lane on Drayton Road and work to improve visibility at the Whiffler Road junction.

The council will also link the cycle lane and paved footpath and cycle lane at the Avenue Road and George Borrow Road junction.

Moves to slow down traffic at the hotspots will also see a speed bump raised at the St Martin's Road mini roundabout, adjustments to the mini roundabout at Wall Road on Constitution Hill, a 20mph zone extended on Wall Road and a traffic calming scheme at the Bowthorpe Road roundabout.

John Joyce, below, Norfolk County Council's assistant highways director, said the funding would provide a real safety boost for cyclists in Norwich.

He said; 'As we move through this financial year we also have around a further £170,000 for further local safety schemes across Norfolk, some of which may also have a cycle safety element to them.

'This work also complements our ongoing publicity and education measures to help promote cyclist safety.'

Transport minister Norman Baker said: 'Cycling is healthy and reduces congestion so it is welcome news that more and more people are taking to two wheels. Ensuring this funding is targeted where improvements will make a real difference to cyclists is just one way we are ensuring this trend continues.'

Road safety minister Stephen Hammond said: 'Keeping people safe on our roads is of paramount importance to me. This money will enable local authorities to put in place well-targeted measures to protect cyclists across the country.'

The schemes – which are match-funded by local authorities – are chosen by a panel of experts, including from transport charity Sustrans, who assessed if the schemes would have a positive impact on safety.

Norfolk County Council said all locations had seen a higher than expected proportion of cyclist casualties over the previous three years.