Residents across Leake and Ruddington Division face up to a year of traffic chaos, due to the closure of the busy A6006 road, while Kirk Hill Bridge is rebuilt.
Kirk Hill Bridge was earmarked to be rebuilt as part of the Midland Mainline electrification programme, announced by the previous Conservative Government to better connect the Midlands with the rest of the country, which the new Labour Government has shelved.
A spokesperson for Rushcliffe Conservatives said:
‘In a double blow for local residents, Network Rail will still be installing the new bridge, causing huge inconvenience to local residents, despite the fact that Labour have cancelled the electrification.
Leake and Ruddington’s Conservative Councillors Andy Brown and Matt Barney have spent a huge amount of time meeting with Nottinghamshire County Council and Network Rail to express feelings of local residents, and Councillor Andy Brown cannot hide his frustration at the way local residents are being treated.
Andy said: “Not only are residents in Leake and Ruddington missing out on Midland Mainline Electrification thanks to the Labour Government, but they also face many months of traffic chaos with the closure of the A6006 by Kirk Hill Bridge.
‘This is a highly important route used by thousands of residents, who all face longer journeys as a result.
‘If we knew we would have the new train route at the end, this would soften the blow, but we do not so it is a lot of pain for no gain. I continue to put pressure on Network Rail and Nottinghamshire County Council to reduce the impact on local residents, with appropriate diversions introduced.
‘I will also work with my fellow Divisional Councillor Stuart Matthews on a joint approach, as we may be of different political parties, but the residents come first.’
Residents can attend a drop-in session at Sutton Bonington Village Hall on Wednesday 17th September between 1530 and 1830 to learn more.
