A new \u00a3100m road connecting the A1 to the A46 in Nottinghamshire has been completed, after nearly three years of construction.<\/p>\n
The Newark Southern Link Road, known as Middlebeck Way, is about three miles (4.8km) long and the development covers 700 acres (283 hectares) of land.<\/p>\n
It is designed to ease congestion, improve journey times and strengthen Newark’s connectivity while opening up land for the planned 3,150-home Middlebeck development.<\/p>\n
As well as improving transport infrastructure, developers said, the road runs alongside footpaths and a series of drainage ponds that enhance biodiversity and support sustainable water management.<\/p>\n
Urban&Civic, which is also the developer behind the housing project, has provided \u00a365m in funding for the new road scheme.<\/p>\n
An additional \u00a320m came from national government, with “significant” additional contributions from Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, and local public partners.<\/p>\n
Nigel Hugill, chief executive of Urban&Civic, said: “Successful public\/private sector partnerships are a common aspiration but seldom delivered in practice.<\/p>\n
“The new strategic link is a shining example that has been over a decade in the making.<\/p>\n
“Eventually, Urban&Civic took the construction risk and met the bulk of the cost but it was public funding underpinned by a clear and unwavering recognition of the project significance that bridged the gap.<\/p>\n
“I can only applaud the extent of that resolve.”<\/p>\n
Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The opening of this new road is great news for the whole district. It will help ease dreaded congestion and allow much-needed homes and employment opportunities to be delivered.<\/p>\n
“It is a real testament to partnership working, spearheaded by the district council, that we have managed to open this road months ahead of schedule and within budget.”<\/p>\n
National Highways director of third party projects, Tim Coffey, said: “From the outset, this project has been a very close collaboration between National Highways and Urban&Civic.<\/p>\n
“Completion of this roundabout and junction has been a really good example of how developers, or any other third parties, can work effectively with National Highways to integrate and connect with our major roads.”<\/p>\n
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