Work on £100m road reaches 'final stages'

A new road connecting a housing development with Newark has moved into its "final phase".

Work on the Southern Link Road, which will connect the A1 to the A46, began in 2023 and was scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2025.

Designed to serve new houses and businesses, the project has cost an estimated £100m.

The developers said the "main construction elements are now largely complete", and the opening of the road has been brought forward from September to "early summer".

As part of the scheme, about three miles (4.8km) of road is being built, which covers 700 acres (283 hectares) of land.

It has involved moving 1.5 million tonnes of earth, and will serve the Middlebeck housing development, which will include more than 2,000 homes.

Developers Urban and Civic said it still needs to complete the new central reservation on the A46, install lighting, traffic signals and safety barriers.

Surfacing works on the roundabout islands are also needed, as well as "essential safety works".

These works will then be followed by the required road safety audits and the necessary legal processes to formally sign off the road ahead of opening in the summer.

Mike van den Berg, project director for Urban and Civic, said: "After many years of planning and construction, we are now in the final stages, and it's encouraging to see the finish line coming into view earlier than anticipated.

"This final phase is about completing vital safety and operational works to ensure the road opens to the highest standards.

"Once complete, the Southern Link Road will provide significant benefits for Newark, helping to reduce congestion, improve journey times and support the town's long-term growth."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.