National Highways has agreed to review the next major phase of A52 roadworks at Nottingham Knight following a meeting with Rushcliffe MP James Naish and a local councillor over severe traffic disruption affecting residents and commuters.
Cllr Parekh said the meeting today 5 November with National Highways and its A52 project team had focused on the lengthy delays experienced around Wheatcroft Island and Nottingham Knight, including the impact on journeys to work, schools, healthcare appointments and essential services.
The discussions follow widespread complaints from motorists about congestion caused by lane closures and temporary speed restrictions, with residents calling for changes to the traffic management arrangements.
A petition opposing the current arrangements had attracted more than 3,400 signatures by Wednesday evening (4 November), while Rushcliffe Borough Council’s leader had called for the works to be suspended.
In an update following the meeting, Cllr Parekh said the current works at Nottingham Knight were expected to finish this week, with approximately two more weeks of utility works remaining at Wheatcroft Island. These could extend for a further week.
National Highways had also advised that there should be no major daytime traffic management associated with the scheme during December.
However, a further significant phase of work is due to begin in January, when an 18-week programme of utility and enabling works at Nottingham Knight is expected to get under way.
Cllr Parekh said both she and Mr Naish had made clear that the level of disruption experienced during the current works must not be repeated when the next phase begins.
The councillor said: “Both me and James were clear that we cannot simply repeat the level of disruption residents have experienced recently.”
National Highways has been asked to review the entire 18-week programme with its contractor, identify the periods most likely to cause serious congestion and examine ways of reducing the impact during school-run and commuter peak times.
The review will also consider lane configurations, temporary traffic management, speed limits and coordination with other roadworks in the surrounding area.
Cllr Parekh said the meeting had also addressed questions from residents about why traffic cones and 40mph restrictions remain in place when workers are not always visible.
National Highways explained that some of the work involves deep excavations around high-pressure gas mains and electrical cables, meaning work areas cannot simply be reopened to traffic at the end of each working day.
In other locations, lanes need to be narrowed or repositioned to provide sufficient space for the work to be carried out safely.
The reduced speed limits are intended to protect motorists and workers where traffic is passing through narrower lanes alongside construction areas.
However, Cllr Parekh said she had requested that the restrictions be kept under review throughout the project to ensure they remain in place only where necessary and safe.
The MP and councillor also called for better advance communication, with clearer information about where work will take place, when restrictions will be introduced and how long they are expected to remain.
Cllr Parekh said National Highways had acknowledged that lessons needed to be learned from the disruption and had committed to reviewing the January programme with its contractor.
Regular monthly meetings involving National Highways, Mr Naish and local councillors have also been agreed to allow concerns to be raised directly and updates shared with residents.
The latest discussions follow a statement from National Highways on Wednesday in which senior project manager Adam Gallis defended the existing traffic arrangements on safety grounds.
He said removing and reinstating traffic management throughout the current phase would not be safe or efficient, and confirmed that work would be reduced during December before resuming in January.
The A52 Nottingham Junctions scheme is intended to address long-standing congestion at the two roundabouts, but the preparatory works have resulted in significant delays on the route and surrounding roads.
Cllr Parekh said: “I welcome the fact that National Highways acknowledged that there are lessons to be learned from the recent disruption and have committed to reviewing the January programme with their contractor.”
