Major work on a key route into Nottingham - which promises to cut traffic and improve safety - will soon be coming to an end. The A52 project at Gamston roundabout has brought months of roadworks and closures.
But the newly-expanded road is on schedule to open this spring as the National Highways scheme draws to an end. Work began on the roundabout in January 2022.
According to National Highways and contractors Griffiths Farrans Joint Venture, the work has included the widening of the road to allow for additional lanes and extra safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians. Highways bosses say the changes will make it quicker for drivers to get to their destinations - as congestion is expected to be significantly reduced by the additional lanes.
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National Highways' senior project manager, Nick Medlicott, said: "It's been a phased approach to keep traffic running so we have had to work closely with the operations teams. We are upgrading safety for pedestrians and cyclists with signalled crossings, widening lanes to reduce congestion and traffic signalling to keep traffic flowing in peak times.
"We plan to open for traffic for March 2023." Mr Medlicott explained the approaches to the roundabout from each direction - Gamston Lings Bar Road, Radcliffe Road and the A52 - have been widened so there will be four lanes for drivers approaching the junction.
He said: "There will be less congestion - widening the roads will allow for more reliable journey times and it will be safer for pedestrians and cyclists." Similar works at smaller junctions in Bingham, Stragglethorpe and Silverdale began in 2021 and have since been completed.
Once the work ends in Gamston, National Highways expects to begin improving two larger western junctions, including Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft. Mr Medlicott said: "We have two further junctions to look at as part of the scheme, and there will be an announcement in the new year - we are just finalising some of the plans."
When asked what people can expect when Gamston roundabout is complete, he explained that the flow of traffic will be much more consistent and there will be less congestion. He added: "People will be able to get out of side roads and residencies safer and they will be able to get to their destinations quicker."
Mr Medlicott added that work has gone 'really well'. He said: "We have had to adapt to the conditions as you find them, but we we are on schedule to finish for spring 2023.
"We have got a significant amount of resurfacing to do, so there will be additional traffic management in place for those, but the details haven't been finalised yet." Diversions will continue to be put in place when road closures are necessary, and National Highways will be continuing to work with the local authority, traffic operations and emergency services when planning these, giving the public at least two weeks' notice.
Gamston residents have previously shared concerns about drivers cutting through their village to avoid the roadworks at Gamston roundabout, something Mr Medlicott described as 'inevitable'. He said: "We do put diversion routes in place and recommend that people use those routes.
"We always encourage people to plan their routes in advance and allow extra time for their journeys." He added: "I would like to thank the local community for working alongside us while we do the works.
"We have been engaging with some of the local forums so we do listen to what they have to say. We are working with the local community and improving where we can."
Mr Medlicott added that National Highways has recently made changes to its traffic management by 'putting more signs up' to try and prevent people from cutting through small villages or thinking they can continue down closed roads.
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