This was the scene yesterday as work on part of a multi-million pound scheme to transform an area of Norwich's city centre continued. Although the transformation of the St Andrew's Hall area is not due to be completed until the end of April, there was good news for drivers as officials announced Bank Plain/Redwell Street will reopen to traffic at 4pm today, in time for the Easter holidays.

This was the scene yesterday as work on part of a multi-million pound scheme to transform an area of Norwich's city centre continued.

Although the transformation of the St Andrew's Hall area is not due to be completed until the end of April, there was good news for drivers as officials announced Bank Plain/Redwell Street will reopen to traffic at 4pm today, in time for the Easter holidays.

The ambitious redesign, part of a £2.3m scheme, aims to transform the area into a haven for pedestrians and includes alfresco seating areas to enhance the surrounding historic buildings and the replacement of a set of toucan lights with a zebra crossing.

Several road closures have been in place this month, including Bank Plain/Redwell Street which was shut to traffic for an extra five days because of the unexpectedly poor condition of the road once the surface was removed.

A spokeswoman said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank drivers, residents and the businesses, who may have been affected by these works, for their patience during this time.

"I am sure that all will agree that the improvements designed to enhance this area and make it an even better place to visit and work in far outweigh the temporary disruption."

The work, by contractors CityCare, has been funded by the European Union's spatial metro project and Norwich City Council. Norfolk County Council has also paid for some of the highways improvements.

The new carriageways created in St Andrew's Street and near Bank Plain will create wider footpath areas for pedestrians and the new zebra crossing will incorporate new-style belisha beacons utilising LED technology which are light sensitive.

This will aid visibility in very bright sunlit conditions.

The work follows a public exhibition of the plans in September where more than three-quarters of people said they wanted less traffic in the area to improve safety and cut noise pollution.