Heartsease roundabout roadworks causing rat run speeding

Some motorists have been trying to avoid gridlock around the £4.4m scheme to change the Heartsease roundabout, which started in September and is due to finish in April 2024.

The closures are pushing impatient drivers through Borrowdale Drive, a quiet residential road which links Plumstead Road and Heartsease Lane.

Drivers are doing all they can to avoid the ongoing roadworks at the Heartsease Road roundabout (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

However, those living in the area, including Ashley Smith, are fed up with the constant disregard for the 20mph speed limit.

Mr Smith, 63, said: "It's gone crazy ever since the roadworks started.

"It's 20mph because of the amount of elderly people, school children and the blind bends and driveways into the road.

Folk living in Borrowdale Drive are concerned about the amount of people breaking the 20mph speed limit using it as a cut through (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"Of course, everyone is in a rush but it's absolutely mad.

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"Drivers seem to just slam their foot down as soon as they get here - no one driving down here is doing 20mph.

"The police could have someone here with a speed camera for a few hours and make a killing I reckon and the councillors seem to be more interested in their litter picks."

The roadworks are due to be completed in April (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

Mr Smith says he's been in contact with the police and city councillors, but his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

A police spokeswoman said: "Road safety and casualty reduction is an important issue for Norfolk Constabulary.

"We look to focus resources in those locations that present the most risk where the most difference can be made focusing around where serious collisions occur. 

Ashley Smith, who lives in Borrowdale Drive, said no one is doing the speed limit through here (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"There can often be a perception difference between what a person thinks is the speeding issue and what the data shows."

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Mr Smith conceded: "You can't stop people driving through here and I understand people will want to cut out the queues which is fine, but they should also be doing the speed limit.

"It's dangerous but no one seems to be doing anything to try and help."

Labour party councillor for Crome Ward, Claire Kidman said she cares deeply about the speeding issue (Image: Claire Kidman)

"We feel like we're being ignored by everyone."

Claire Kidman, Labour city councillor for Crome ward, added: "We care deeply about this issue and have been encouraging residents to attend the safer neighbourhood partnership meetings.

"Enforcement of 20mph speed limits is for the police and unfortunately putting in speed humps would have required action by the county council long before they started the work."

Mr Smith said the police would make a killing if they were to monitor the road (Image: Newsquest)