One of the biggest shake-ups in how traffic gets around Norwich city centre is just weeks away, with St Stephens Street set to be closed off to general traffic.

From Friday, November 7, permanent changes to traffic flows will be made so that most of the traffic is removed from St Stephens Street, part of Surrey Street, and Rampant Horse Street.

The changes are part of the £1.7m Transport for Norwich scheme, which has already seen work underway making Chapel Field North two way and a new bus lane installed in Grapes Hill.

Once the changes come into effect, just weeks before Christmas shopping gets into full swing, it will mean: • A bus gate at St Stephens roundabout banning all general traffic from entering St Stephens Street.

• Access only along Surrey Street from All Saints Green to St Stephens.

• A bus gate stopping general traffic from entering Rampant Horse Street from the Theatre Street/Chapel Field North direction.

• Right turn only for all vehicles from Westlegate into Red Lion Street. Only cyclists will be able to go straight ahead.

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: 'The effect of these changes will be to remove most of the traffic from St Stephens Street and Rampant Horse Street, making them safer and more attractive as important shopping streets.

'It is also the final link in creating a better route into the city centre for buses, helping to cut journey times and make services more reliable.

'This route includes the new bus lane up Grapes Hill, Chapel Field North, along Theatre Street into Rampant Horse Street.'

Ahead of changeover day on November 7, Chapel Field North will re-open as a two-way street on Monday, November 3.

That will allow work to be carried out on Rampant Horse Street, which will be closed to all traffic for four days.

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