Work to improve the road and pavements on Derby Road is set to start next month in a bid to make the area more attractive.
The plans are part of The Creative Quarter programme, a scheme looking to support access to and economic growth in certain areas of Nottingham.
Pavements on the road will be widened and resurfaced with new paving, new trees and street lighting.
Parking spaces will remain on both sides of the road.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for Transport and Planning at Nottingham City Council, says: “We are making a range of improvements to pavements and roads in the city centre and the Creative Quarter to improve the local environment, make the areas more attractive and increase economic activity for local businesses.
The City Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by the works.
“Access to local businesses, loading and off street parking will always be maintained during the works.”
Temporary arrangements to be made during the works:
- Reducing traffic to two lanes.
- Introducing temporary bus stops.
- Closing Upper College Street at its junction with Derby Road (towards the start of May.)
Derby Road’s business community appears to be pleased about the upcoming improvements with Geoff Williams, chair of the Derby Road Steering Group, saying they will make the street a more pleasant place for customers to visit.
Mr Williams says: “Derby Road is an important destination, an independent shopping street in the city with a range of shops, services and local businesses.
We look forward to the results even though there will inevitably be some short term pain due to the works.
Portfolio holder for Jobs and Growth, Councillor Nick McDonald, said the improvements will make the most of all Nottingham has to offer in terms of leisure and retail.
Cllr McDonald says: “We see independent retailers as key to the success of the city’s retail strategy.
“With all the investment in infrastructure Nottingham has seen over the past few years, these improvements are part of a wider vision that opens the city centre and its approaches up to residents and visitors.”
Business owners on the road are wary of the disruption the works may cause but seem hopeful the improvements will be worth it.
Tracey Newham, manager of Park Salon on Derby Road, said she looks forward to the changes on the road but hopes the disruption is kept to a minimum.
Ms Newham said: “I hope the disruption isn’t too bad, like the Clifton tram works.
I’m all for it if it brings in business, anything to drum up business is fine with me.
“We are hoping parking improves along the road definitely, it’s terrible at the moment.”
Despite the plans being welcomed by retailers on Derby Road, business owners on opposite street Alfreton Road don’t think the plans are fair.
Owner of The Music Inn, Beverely Orellana, said she thinks Alfreton Road needs improvements just as much as its neighbour street.
She said:
Alfreton Road is the gateway to Nottingham, it is the first impression people get of the city.
There are no current plans in place for works on Alfreton Road.
Work on the road is to be carried out in phases, beginning on Monday March 2 up to November 2015.
The first phase of the £800k programme will be between North Circus Street and Upper College Street, lasting for around 11 weeks.
Notts TV went to find out what business owners on Alfreton Road think about the improvements on their neighbouring street.
