Speed on a section of the A140 is set to be reduced to 30mph when work begins in earnest on a £4.4m roundabout to replace a crossroads that is a notorious crash blackspot.

The temporary 30mph limit will be brought into force on a section of the road from Brands Lane in Long Stratton to Quaker Lane in Tasburgh.

Some preparatory work has already been carried out ahead on construction of the new roundabout at the junction of the A140 and the B1527 Hempnall Road.

Norwich Evening News: The existing stretch of the A140 at Hempnall Crossroads where the new roundabout is being built. Picture: Norfolk County CouncilThe existing stretch of the A140 at Hempnall Crossroads where the new roundabout is being built. Picture: Norfolk County Council (Image: Archant)

Traffic regulations for the speed reduction came into force on February 25 lasting until August though the new 30mph limit will only come into force when work begins.

The Hempnall crossroads has been the scene of nine crashes in the past five years, with 13 people hurt, two of them seriously.

The new 30mph limit also covers the location of accidents where in October 17-year-old Shannon Gittings, from Diss, lost her life, and Anthony Glover, of Norwich, died after a crash on New Year's Eve.