By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A transport body has said the proposed A46 Newark bypass should be one of the government’s top road improvement priorities.
Midlands Connect says the bypass is ‘the last piece of the puzzle’ for Nottinghamshire which can help to unlock its full economic potential.
The National Highways project, estimated to cost around £500m, was submitted to the government in May.
It would look at widening and restructuring the heavily congested A46 bypass around Newark with a new bridge over the A1.
Midlands Connect has named it one of the most transformational projects in a report published today (August 8).
It was previously earmarked for the second phase of the National Road Investment Scheme between 2020 and 2025 but will be pushed back to the third phase in 2025-2030.
Mike Bull, Programme Director at Midlands Connect, said: “We never recommend a project for funding unless we believe the benefits outweigh the costs.
“The 17 road projects mentioned in the report have the ability to cut congestion, help create new jobs and homes, as well as improve safety across the region.
“They are real ‘no-brainers’ for stimulating economic growth during this challenging time.
“We will continue to support National Highways and the relevant Local Authorities in making the case for these much-needed schemes to Government.”
Around 16,000 vehicles use this stretch of the A46 between Nottingham and Lincoln each day.
The bypass would cut out two frequently-congested roundabouts, while widening the Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts.
Around four miles of road would also be widened to a dual-carriageway between the Farndon roundabout and the A1.
The scale of the works mean it is considered a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ and will be decided by the Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh MP.
The plans are currently in the pre-examination stage, meaning anyone who wants to have their say must register with the Planning Inspectorate.
The examination will begin later this year, and usually takes around six months.
Junction 24 of the M1 – just across the Derbyshire border from Ashfield – has also been recommended for improvements by Midlands Connect.
Investment would “support employment prospects for residents of deprived areas along this section of the A38 corridor”, the report says.
It claims better road connections to the rest of the Midlands would drive regeneration in Mansfield and Ashfield.
Further details on this scheme are expected to be published by National Highways later this year.
