Early Christmas present for Newark as bypass plans given green light

Plans to build a bypass in Newark that will help combat traffic congestion have been given the go-ahead.

The Department of Transport has approved the plans for the northern relief road.

The improvements, which have been labelled as an early Christmas present for Newark by Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Councillor Alan Rhodes, will see the A46 continued to be dualled to the north of the town, where it meets the A1.

Cllr Rhodes recently headed a delegation to London who met with transport minister John Hayes and representatives from the Highways Agency to discuss the plans.

He said the council has been concerned for some time about the traffic problems being encountered in Newark during peak periods.

He added: “It has long been recognised that the main key to unlocking those problems would be to continue dualling the A46 to the north of the town, where it meets the A1.

“It really is tremendous news. It is a very welcome early Christmas present for the town.

“This is good news for the people of Newark, both residents and businesses alike, and comes on top of bus travel improvements and the increases in rail journey frequencies which were announced recently.”