Drivers have been warned there is “no gain without pain” as roadworks at a busy Nottinghamshire roundabout scheduled to last a year begin to cause major tailbacks.
There have been delays along the A52 near the Gamston roundabout, also known as the Gamston Lock roundabout, since January.
Junction improvement works and upgrades to the gas network have closed lanes and brought in temporary traffic lights.
Work at the roundabout started early in the New Year but motorists are suffering longer delays this week after National Highways, which is carrying out the work, said changes in the layout of traffic management at the roundabout would come in from Monday, March 7.
On Monday night (March 7) existing regular delays on the westbound approach out of Nottingham at rush hour were followed by more long queues approaching the junction from the east as fans headed to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground for a home FA Cup tie against Huddersfield.
Roger Upton (Con), Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Radcliffe on Trent said: “We’ve got to bear with it and at the end, it will be much improved.
“It’s all part of upgrading the A52 because of all the extra housing and investment. I’ve been going down that road since 1975 and the traffic volume has naturally increased so these works are needed.
“It’s a little bit of no gain without pain. They’re managing it as best they can.
“I experienced the traffic and it added about eight minutes to my journey time. It’s at peak times where you get that extra backing up.
“The objective is sound and I accept a short term disruption and build up because I can’t see an alternative. It will make the gateway into West Bridgford and Nottingham a whole lot better.”
As part of the works, a 40mph speed limit has been introduced at the roundabout approaches and exits to improve safety.
The approach to the roundabout from the city has been reduced from two lanes down to one and temporary traffic lights are also controlling traffic flow during the upgrades.
The measures are causing mile-long queues from the roundabout back to Lady Bay bridge at peak times.
But once complete, the number of lanes at the junction will be increased from two to four so more vehicles can use the junction and ease congestion.
The A6011 approach out of Nottingham will also increase from two lanes to three.
New traffic lights will manage traffic flow and traffic light controlled crossings will help pedestrians and cyclists to cross the junction.
Cadent Gas is also carrying out mains replacement works in Cotgrave until the end of March, resulting in three-way traffic lights on Plumtree Road, Bakers Hollow and Mensing Avenue, which are adding to delays in the area.
National Highways Senior Project Manager, Nicholas Medlicott said: “We understand the concerns of local residents living at Gamston junction and we’re trying to limit disruption where we can.
“We’re currently working with Cadent Gas as they carry out essential upgrade work to the gas mains network underneath the road which is set to finish early April.
“This is a really important piece of work and it needs to happen ahead of our upgrade work starting at the junction next month. We need to make sure that our teams can work safely on the road without causing any issues with utilities like gas and water pipes.
“Once our junction improvements are complete, it will make journeys smoother for motorists and alleviate congestion along the A52 corridor while also supporting economic growth for Nottinghamshire.”
The Gamston junction work is due to be complete by January 2023.
To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here.
