An announcement on the future of the upgrades to the A46 Newark Bypass “is expected soon”, says East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward.
The project, which was set to involve a variety of work to reduce traffic bottlenecks and relieve congestion, was scrapped by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in June, to free up funding for the defence sector.
The decision caused outcry at the time, coming after local leaders had been vocal in the media about how the trend of the East Midlands being “left behind” by central government in funding decisions looked like it might finally be beginning to change.
The scheme was one of only two highway infrastructure projects nationwide scrapped in the June announcement – with the other one also being in the East Midlands.
Upgrades to the A38 in Derby, which have been touted for more than 20 years, were also pulled due to being deemed “not immediately vital”.
The Mayor herself condemned the decision and vowed that she would fight the “unfair” move.
In recent months, however, news has been scarce on the future of the scheme, leading some to think that despite the Mayor’s best efforts, it wouldn’t be saved after all.
A new contract went out to tender in September worth £840m.
But there was no mention of it in Councillor John Healey’s budget speech on Wednesday, October 27.
Claire Ward said: “We are working with the government on that. I’ve been engaging very closely with government and we’re expecting a decision, an announcement, soon.”
The Mayor did not elaborate on her short comment but confirmed that the project is not dead and buried.
The major changes planned for the A46 included turning the single carriageway to a dual carriageway between the Farndon and Winthorpe junctions, creating a flyover at the Cattle Market roundabout, creating a bridge over the A1 and adding traffic lights at the Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts.
Like the A38 upgrades, the project was first proposed many years ago, and was finally granted planning permission in October 2025.
By the time the project was scrapped in June, a contract had already been agreed, worth £270m, with construction company Skanska.
It was subsequently cancelled.
By Joseph Connolly, Local Democracy Reporter
