After more than seven months of major disruption, all roads on the Heartsease roundabout have reopened today - two weeks ahead of schedule.

The controversial £4.4m roundabout development began in September and was scheduled to be completed by Saturday, May 18, having fallen a month behind schedule.

The busy roundabout had seen more than 30 safety incidents in a decade, including injuries to 15 cyclists and eight pedestrians, prompting Norfolk County Council to secure government funding for the project.

Eastern Daily Press: Work to improve the busy roundabout began in September last yearWork to improve the busy roundabout began in September last year (Image: Mike Page)

A full roundabout closure started on April 13 as work moved into the final stages.

The works fell a month behind schedule due to unexpected drainage problems earlier this year but thanks to favourable weather the five-way roundabout has reopened early.

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New aerial images earlier this week showed the new pedestrian and cycle crossings on each arm as well as the realignment intended to make it easier to navigate and lane changes to reduce driver confusion and hesitation.

Eastern Daily Press: A spokesman for Norfolk County Council is 'delighted' to see the works completeA spokesman for Norfolk County Council is 'delighted' to see the works complete (Image: Mike Page)

Graham Plant, the county council's head of transport, said: “I’m delighted to be able to say that we have now completed these important safety improvements at Heartsease.

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"I know it’s been a particularly long period of disruption for all those living, working or travelling through the area and I would like to say thank you once again for everyone’s patience, both since work began and during the recent closure period.

Eastern Daily Press: Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transportGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Norfolk County Council)

“These changes have not only addressed these issues but have also connected the local community and will make travelling through the junction much easier for the many residents, business customers, school children and commuters, who use it."

Completion of the work means bus services that had previously been on diversion will return to their original routes and help to ease congestion issues in surrounding areas.