Green light for A46 Newark improvements
A development consent order has been approved for a £680m+ package of works including four miles of dualling, a new bridge over the A1 and a flyover at the Cattle Market roundabout.
Transport Minister Lord Hendy, on behalf of Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander, approved the DCO for the multi-million-pound project, which means the formal green light has been given for the scheme to tackle congestion on a crucial trade corridor through the East Midlands.
Scrutiny has been carried out by the Planning Inspectorate.
The scheme will upgrade a stretch of single carriageway on the A46 which is used by 17,000 drivers every day as the key trans-Midlands trade corridor linking to the Humber ports, hopefully relieving a bottleneck around Newark and improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
National Highways’ project also contributes to the local growth agenda, including supporting 7,500 new homes, and improving links to the Newark Business Park and Newark Gateway, including the International Air and Space Training Institute.
Izzy Tully, a National Highways project manager, said: “The A46 is an important route, supporting trade and the wider economy, and our upgrade will reduce delays by delivering much-needed additional capacity to the road and its junctions, as well as better connectivity and safer journeys for everyone.
“We look forward to now being able to take the project forward.”
The scheme will include:
- Widening four miles of the existing single carriageway to a dual carriageway, to provide two lanes in each direction between Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts near Newark-on-Trent.
- Creating a flyover at the Cattle Market roundabout for the A46 to pass over the junction.
- Building a new bridge over the A1.
- Enlarging Winthorpe roundabout and installing traffic lights to connect the new A46 link.
There is now a six-week period in which parties can lodge an intention to legally challenge the decision.
In the coming months, National Highways will work with the Department for Transport to identify the most efficient and cost-effective delivery timetables for this project, as part of the process of setting the next Road Investment Strategy. An update on timescales will be given next year.
