Norwich: Roadworks worries in North Walsham Road, Sprowston

North Walsham Road in Sprowston closed for gas work today (January 16) and will remain shut until Friday, February 3.

The closure caused disruption as far back as the NDR roundabout this morning, with the route used by commuters from north Norfolk.

Work will see teams from Cadent replace a gas main between the junctions with Moore Avenue and Tills Road.

Mark Yeomans at Yeomans Electrical is concerned the work will hit trade.

He said: "We probably won't have it as bad as some of the others as we don't get all of our customers in store, although it will hit us.

"But for most of the businesses around this way if not all it will certainly have an impact.

"With the number of cars we get through here it will probably cause quite a few delays too."

Ken Leggett, Conservative Broadland district councillor for Old Catton and Sprowston West, has received many calls from people in the area with similar concerns.

He said: "It really is going to cause trouble.

"We've already had delays at about 7.30am this morning and we'll have more at 5.30pm.

"It's absolute chaos, we're obviously very behind with roadwork in this area and it needs to be done, but it always seems to be planned in a difficult way.

"No end of people have contacted me about this and we know it has to happen, but it's just how they do it."

Staff at Dye's Pharmacy said they had not felt the impact of the closure yet but expected it would be "a bit of a pain".

At the Woodman pub, staff said they did not feel they would be as heavily impacted as others but worried it could affect trade.

A spokeswoman for the pub said: "It probably will impact us as people can't get down the road that way.

"It's not too helpful but we're not that worried about it."

Work will also see the Tills Close footpath close and temporary traffic lights used for Edwards Road and Tills Road.

A diversion will be in place via the A1151 Wroxham Road, while Burma Road near the Maids Head Hotel will also be closed.