Cyclists will get the opportunity to use a section of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road before drivers do.

From 10am until 4pm on Sunday, October 29, the dual carriageway between the A1067 Fakenham Road and New Drayton Lane will be open exclusively for cyclists, walkers and runners to explore the new three mile stretch of road.

The Pushing Ahead event has been organised to demonstrate how new cycle lanes and links have been created as part of the NDR work.

The council says new links connect to communities such as Thorpe Marriott and Horsford.

People will be able to explore those links and cycle on the NDR itself.

However, people are urged to take care, as the main carriageway and cycle lanes include roundabouts which will be used by other traffic.

There will be car parking and toilets at the site compound, signposted from New Drayton Lane.

Martin Wilby, chairman of Norfolk County Council's environment, development and transport committee, said: 'We are very pleased to give local people a chance to see the road before it's open to general traffic, and to explore the new cycle-ways and links to Marriott's Way and communities such as Horsford and Thorpe Marriott.

'This will be a one-off opportunity to ride on a traffic-free main carriageway, but maintaining and improving permanent cycle links is an essential part of the project.

'Once the whole NDR is finished, it will still be possible to use new and existing paths and quiet lanes to get from Fakenham Road to Postwick without setting foot or bicycle wheel on the road itself.'

John Birchall, NDR public liaison officer, said there had been many requests to run or cycle on the main carriageway before it opens to vehicles.

He said: 'The 29th is primarily a family cycling event, and explorers will be able to decide for themselves how much of the three miles of dual carriageway or connected paths they ride.

'We are aiming to focus on runners when the last sections of the route, north of Postwick, are nearing completion next spring.'

The first section of the NDR is due to open next month. Council leader Cliff Jordan this week said he believed the final cost of the road would be between £200m and £205m.