Drivers face traffic chaos as busy road set for weekend closure after 'unexpected challenges'

Work is being completed to improve several junctions, reduce congestion and provide capacity for more traffic from local developments near Nottingham.

The project, which was first launched in 2017, has seen the redesign of current roundabouts to Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft junctions by turning them into through-abouts.

This will allow drivers to travel straight through the junction, rather than travelling around the roundabout, providing a smoother journey and reducing congestion.

National Highways explained that it would need to remove vegetation on and around the roundabouts following ecology surveys and mitigation work.

Work also needs to be carried out by Severn Trent to assess the facilities following severe weather since the start of the year.

Utilities teams will need to work at the site after National Highways has completed its work, bringing further disruption to the area.

To mitigate any disruption, the A52 project team is working alongside Severn Trent to reduce the impact on locals and drivers.

Sue Chambers, project manager at National Highways, said: "We fully appreciate how disruptive any roadworks can be, especially a scheme of this size, and are constantly reviewing our programme to see if we can minimise the impact on motorists and communities.

“With any major infrastructure project like this there will also be unforeseen challenges and we must respond accordingly.

"These have included wildlife and ecological constraints, extreme weather, issues with unidentified utilities and working in a tight construction corridor."

A new weekend closure will be introduced from 8pm on Friday, March 27, until 6am on Monday, March 30.

This will see the completion of a new cycleway and footpath, which is expected to open in mid-April.

By early May, the A52 should also begin running in both directions again, with this section of the scheme expected to be completed in around 12 months.

This will involve the carriageway being resurfaced since it is "coming to the end of its working life".

Work will also be completed to rebuild part of the ageing drainage system following issues with flooding.

Additional signage will be introduced to enable better access from local roads and make directions clearer for all motorists using the stretch of the road.

Sue Chambers concluded, saying: "Having reviewed our works, we have overcome these challenges and battled to keep the scheme on track.

"We want to thank residents and road users for their patience and are happy that they will soon be enjoying all the benefits these improvements will bring."