Work begins this month (January 13th) to improve traffic flow through Nottingham City Centre.

But the first phase alone will take six months to complete and drivers are being warned to expect long delays.

Turning Point
Over the next five years traffic flow along dozens of roads around the city centre will be altered.

Costing £12 million pounds (Government funded) the project, called Turning Point, aims to improve the pedestrian environment as well as the way traffic gets around the city.

Phase One
It begins mid-January at a cost of £1.4 million and will see changes to the Tollhouse Hill roundabout and surrounding areas including Maid Marian Way, Parliament Street, Derby Road, Clarendon Street and Wollaton Street.

The changes

• A newly laid-out roundabout controlled by traffic lights.
• A new direct route between Clarendon Street and Derby Road, easing pressure on Tollhouse Hill roundabout.
• The subway under Parliament Street will be replaced by a new surface crossing.
• The crossings on Tollhouse Hill, Derby Road and Maid Marian Way will be moved closer to the roundabout, to enhance links between the city centre and outer areas.

Possible delays
The work is due to take 26 weeks to complete. During that time temporary traffic measures will be put in place. These will include:-

• Only two lanes open around the Tollhouse roundabout and on the approach routes from Maid Marian Way, Derby Road and Tollhouse Hill.
• The Parliament Street exit will be permanently reduced to one lane to encourage cross-city traffic to use Talbot Street.
• Wollaton Street will be reduced to two lanes.
• Clarendon Street will be reduced to one lane.

Area of roadworks - Click on the image to see more detailed map

See for yourself
Use our traffic webCams to see if there are any delays.

Short term pain, long term gain
Councillor Alan Clark, Executive Member of Environment, Planning and Transport, said: "Delays are inevitable while the work is underway and motorists are advised to avoid the area if at all possible.

Once it is finished, the environment around the inner ring road will be significantly better, areas like the Castle will be more closely linked with the Old Market Square and traffic flow will be improved around the city."

What do you think?
First the trams, now more upheaval. Is it good for Nottingham. Let us know.