An old oak tree that was removed for safety reasons as National Highways began work on the A52 Nottingham Junctions scheme to tackle congestion has been given a new lease of life.
A local woodcarver has used timber from the oak tree that previously stood at the Nottingham Knight roundabout to create a picnic bench for St Paul’s Boundary Road Church to ensure the tree continues to have a lasting legacy within the community.
The tree was removed earlier this year for safety reasons after investigations found that it was not possible to retain it during the expansion of the roundabout and the creation of a throughabout for the A52.
Initial works began last month to move infrastructure owned by utility companies at the Wheatcroft roundabout, and work will move to Nottingham Knight in November before main construction on the scheme starts next year.
The much-needed project will see the two roundabouts expanded, with routes connecting the A52 through the centre of the roundabouts, while traffic signals and pedestrian crossings will also be improved to help increase safety and reduce congestion at the two junctions.
The A52 is an important east-west link across the East Midlands, and the improvements will also unlock regional economic growth, as well as support the route in coping with extra traffic from planned housing developments in the area.
Adam Gallis, Project Manager for National Highways, said: “The improvement works on the A52 are not just about upgrading the two junctions, but about having a long-term benefit on the surrounding area and region, with reduced congestion and improved safety.
“Creating this bench for St Paul’s means the oak tree can continue to have a lasting and meaningful benefit to the local community. We were always keen to ensure the timber taken from the oak tree wouldn’t go to waste and would be repurposed for the community to enjoy for many years to come.”
St Paul’s in West Bridgford also runs a community and wellbeing hub which supports many people in combating loneliness and isolation through events and workshops in its café, a Lego club and a community kitchen.
Volunteers from the scheme contractor, Griffiths Farrans Joint Venture (GFJV), have also been regularly volunteering in the café this year, serving users, and had earmarked it for the donation. The new bench will give users somewhere comfortable to sit in the open space.
Layla Anderson, Project Manager at St Paul’s Community and Wellbeing Hub, said: “We are in a wonderful position to be able to accept this beautiful bench that has been created, and we know that this will be a really lovely feature for our community here.
“We have dog walkers who come here every day, and I know they will appreciate having this bench to sit on. In the summer, as our community café is not very big, it will be a great place to sit out in the sun.”
The donation supports National Highways’ commitment to social value, positive change and contributing to the communities close to its road schemes.
In the coming months, National Highways and GFJV aim to repurpose more timber from trees and vegetation cleared from the scheme site for other local community projects.
