A new report claims businesses 'could leave' Newark if constant traffic problems don't improve
It's hoped a project to widen and dual the A46 Newark bypass could make a difference
Vodafone may be among businesses to leave Newark if constant traffic problems don’t improve, a report has warned.
Plans for a long-awaited bypass for the A46 have been submitted to the Government by National Highways in an attempt to reduce gridlock around the area.
An impact assessment report for the scheme has been put together by Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark & Sherwood District Council and has now been made public.
It found traffic is costing local businesses time and money – and Vodafone has warned it could pull out of the area if nothing changes.
If approved, the major road project would create a bridge over the A1, cutting out two frequently-congested roundabouts, and around four miles of road would also be widened to a dual-carriageway between the Farndon roundabout and the A1.
The Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts would also be widened, and the Cattle Market roundabout would be turned into a flyover junction.
Local businesses told the report congestion makes “Newark town centre effectively unreachable on a Friday in particular, impacting on local investment”.
The report also warns Vodafone, one of the town’s biggest employers, may look at relocating if improvements don’t go ahead.
The report says a Vodafone representative told the council: “The A46 hinders peoples’ ability to reliably travel to the office and this risks Vodafone pulling their investment from Newark and looking elsewhere if the situation doesn’t improve,”
Vodafone’s technical advisory teams are at Newark Beacon, a business complex at Cafferata Way owned and managed by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Newark Showground also said visitors sometimes wait in “queues miles long at busy times”, which can cause up to two-hour delays.
The report says despite concerns about future roadworks, there is “widespread support for the proposals and a desire for them to be commenced without delay”.
It warns that “traffic will only get worse”, with National Highways predicting that 4,400 extra vehicles will be using the Cattle Market roundabout every day by 2028.
The Government’s Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, MP Louise Haigh, who will likely have the final say on the project sometime in 2025.
Daniel Otton, managing director of Buttercross Estate and committee member of Newark Business Club, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service how badly-needed the bypass is.
“We don’t book any viewings on a Friday because the roads are so horrible – they’re notoriously bad on Friday afternoons,” he said.
“People say they have PTSD with Newark’s traffic, and that’s not the positive experience we want to leave people with.
“It’s essential for both Newark residents and businesses to get this new bypass as soon as possible.
“The town’s well-connected with the A46, A1 and the rail connections. Travel should be smooth, not bottlenecks everywhere.
“There’s big parcels of derelict land which have huge potential once the bypass is in place.
“Everyone’s in favour of it. We know there will be short-term disruption, but it will be worth it in the long-run.”
The council’s planning committee will discuss the report on Monday, October 14.