Fed-up residents living near a planned road closure in Bestwood have spoken out about a fresh batch of works happening around their neighbourhood. Nottingham City Council recently announced that Hucknall Road will be affected by a road closure that will impact inbound traffic towards the city centre between Bestwood Park Drive West and Top Valley Way for five weeks, at all times, as new cycle lanes and resurface works take place.
The project is part of Nottingham and Derby’s Transforming Cities programme after Nottingham City and Derby City Councils secured £161 million from the Department for Transport to invest in local transport infrastructure.
Nottingham City Council secured funding to improve the Hucknall Road corridor for people walking, cycling and using the bus. However, residents living nearby have voiced concern over the closures, and the increased journey time which could become factor. It expects the wider project to take around 10 months.
Katie Hutchins, 33, who lives nearby, said: "There are always roadworks around here and I don't think these are the only ones that are coming in soon. I find it a bit outrageous.
"We all understand the need for them but they're happening all the time and it's just going to make people late for work and increase traffic in other places. It needs to be managed better really.
"And five weeks is a long time. They'll cause more problems than they solve.
"It's a nightmare."
Jacob Heyden-Hatchett, 41, who works nearby, said: "When this one starts it is going to impact me for sure.
"I don't live around here but it's going to be a nightmare to get to work once the closures come into place and it will affect me a lot coming down this road. My take on it would be this big thoroughfare into Top Valley is going to be difficult for a lot of people and I can see why people living around here might complain if it's something that's happening all the time.
"I use the bus so I'm hoping that won't be affected too much."
The first phase of the scheme between Valley Road and Arnold Road is complete and includes a 24-hour widened bus and cycle lane heading into the city and a stepped cycle lane heading out of the city. Design and consultation on further phases is in progress.
Martin Ferber, 42, said: "I'm glad that it's being done if I'm honest - you might not hear that from everybody! I cycle a lot to and from work and I've wanted the lanes for a while.
"They just make everything safer and it makes it easier for us cyclers. I think a lot more people are making the decision to cycle to work so, yes, I'm happy - there are lots of benefits to it.
"I do understand why people might be a bit apprehensive about it. It sounds like the works might be taking a bit longer than they need to. And for people who don't cycle they're probably thinking what's the point.
"I'm glad something's being done though and looking forward to when it's done."
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