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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
World
Laycie Beck

Nottinghamshire neighbours say roadworks 'worth it' as service station to open in weeks

Village residents are growing frustrated with another set of roadworks but say "it will all be worth it in the end". The new Welcome Break service station on the A1 near Newark will be opening in the upcoming weeks and after months of roadworks and disruption, Fernwood residents are looking forward to the development being complete.

Many residents have become annoyed with the latest set of roadworks on the B6326 which is the only access road from their homes to Balderton and Newark. The new service station will officially open on Wednesday, March 1, and will have a Starbucks, Burger King and Greggs in addition to a fuel station.

Speaking of the roadworks, nurse, Beth Fields, 42, said: "I think it's just an ongoing issue and it seems to be taking forever as there is always something happening." When asked if she thought the service station would be worth the disruption, Beth explained: "Yes but I preferred how it was before and its dangerous with the school so close.

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"I think kids will start gathering there because of the Starbucks and with all the traffic and lorries there. It's not a great mix."

Teacher Heather Cheetham, 49, added: "I don't think it was a necessity the service station. It's not a necessity for us as residents, and I much preferred it how it was.

"I think there will be an issue for people coming from Balderton to The Suthers School."

Queue of traffic from Fernwood to Balderton (Laycie Beck)

Retail worker, Daniela Kalach, 40, has described the current roadworks as "quite difficult." She said: "Normally I'm leaving before seven o'clock but people here that are driving later on are struggling."

She added: "It will definitely be worth it, as it's another shop and a fuel station. I won't need to go to the town centre for fuel, it's going to be brilliant."

A resident in her fifties who did not wish to be named said: "I've not really had any issues with it, but I know from what other people have said and from what I have seen on Facebook that it's really bad. I wouldn't go out at peak times now, but I suppose it will have fuel and a Starbucks, so it will all be worth it in the end."

Salesman, James Price, 30, said: "In the morning at peak times its a nightmare. It's been a nightmare to be fair from 8am, it's ridiculous."

He added: "I think it (the service station) will be beneficial as I think it would be good for myself with fuel and that. But ultimately it will attract people around there and there would be more rubbish."

Retired, Maureen Ashwell, 70, said: "I haven't had any issues as I haven't been out. I don't go out at peak times so I'm fine.

"I'm not particularly worried about it but I certainly won't be using it. I prefer to go into Newark and I don't do a lot of travelling nowadays."

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