National Highways has unveiled its preferred route for a £500m scheme to dual a section of the A46 trade corridor connecting the M5 with Humber Ports.
The government-owned company said the ‘Option 2 Modified’ route for the A46 Newark Bypass improvements incorporates suggestions from local communities for the upgrade of the road in Nottinghamshire following an extensive public consultation.
A key change following the consultation will take the route further away from the village of Winthorpe.
The proposed scheme will:
- widen the A46 to a dual carriageway between the Farndon and Winthorpe junctions to provide two lanes in each direction
- provide a new bridge over the A1 to the north of the existing bridge
- provide a flyover junction at Cattle Market, with the A46 elevated to pass over the roundabout
- add traffic lights to Farndon junction to improve flows during peak hours
- enlarge Winthorpe junction to a five-arm roundabout with traffic lights to connect the new A46 link.
Senior project manager Michael Hillier said congestion on the route is only going to get worse, ‘so we want to act now to develop this modified route and help build a better, safer road network’.
He added: ‘We want to make sure that, as far as possible, the improvements to the A46 work for the community as a whole. We are determined to ensure that the views of road users and communities are fully considered throughout the design and delivery of this scheme.’
The preferred route is a modified version of one of two options put forward in the consultation
Roads minister Baroness Vere said: ‘This is an exciting milestone for this essential project which will ease congestion for drivers, lower the risk of accidents, and give businesses a more reliable connection for trade.’
National Highways said Option 2 was supported by 65% of those who responded to the consultation. It will now carry out further surveys and assessments to develop the design of the preferred route further and then hold another consultation.
It said it expects that the scheme will need a Development Consent Order.
