The company behind a major housing development in Dereham has apologised following confusion surrounding an important road's reopening date. 

Orbit Homes, which is building 279 homes in Greenfields Road, got permission from Norfolk County Council to close nearby Cherry Lane for tarmac resurfacing from early November. 

The dirt track has long been used as a convenient cut-through to and from allotments, Dereham Windmill and Neatherd High School. 

The length of the closure was given as six months. 

However, in recent weeks, a appeared on the road informing people it would reopen on December 9. 

But when Cherry Lane remained closed 48 hours later, residents began contacting Breckland district councillor Alison Webb to enquire as to what was happening. 

She liaised with fellow councillor Linda Monument and contacted Orbit, which said it was working to complete the work as quickly as possible. 

The firm apologised for the inconvenience caused and vowed to continue liaising with the community to keep disruption to a minimum.

Mrs Webb said: "They said that, unfortunately, due to bad weather, they could not complete the job by finishing the surface, so took the decision to keep it closed.

“The problem was Orbit didn't change the notice, so residents were left confused.

“Communication could and should be better available so that everyone knows and understands. A total lack of communication - that is the problem.

Dereham Times: Conservative councillor for Dereham Neatherd, Alison Webb, who serves as Breckland District Council's executive member for health and housing.

“What is important to stress is that Orbit has permission for closure for six months, but we are hoping the site managers can get it reopened well before that."

Mrs Webb confirmed Orbit had opened one end of Cherry Lane and that people could still access the allotments. 

However, access via Wheatcroft Way remains blocked. 

"We are putting on pressure to reopen it as soon as possible, as we know how important this is for people to have access to their allotments and to use the lane,” councillor Webb added. 

A spokesman for Orbit said: "We remain on target to complete the work within the agreed timeframe.

"We are endeavouring to complete the work as quickly as we can and to open sections of the road when safety allows."