A453 commuters are often stuck near Ratcliffe Power Station

The Highways Agency is showing off plans to dual the A453 from the A52, on edge of Nottingham, to the M1 on the Leicestershire border.

Public exhibitions will be held in Kegworth and Clifton from 16 September to show how a 12km stretch could be widened to cut congestion and crashes.

Work could start by 2008, but would not be completed until 2011.

Accident reduction scheme

The project would see a new dual carriageway along the line of the present A453 between M1 junction 24 and the Crusader roundabout in Nottingham, and a four-lane wide stretch through Clifton.

In the five years up to 2003, there were 101 accidents, leading to 38 serious injuries and eight deaths along the A453 south of Clifton.

And the urban section - used by up to 32,000 vehicles a day - saw 69 recorded crashes leading to 16 serious injuries and one death.

Shifeek Hussain, Highways Agency project manager, said: "This will be an opportunity for the public to see the proposals and to discuss them with Highways Agency representatives."

The first exhibition will be on Thursday 16 September at Kegworth Community Centre, from 1400 to 2000.

And Clifton Leisure Centre will host displays on Friday,17 September from 1400 to 2000, and Saturday, 18 September from 1000 to 1600.