Motorists, bus users and business owners in Ruddington have expressed dismay on learning that the recent traffic disruption in our village centre will continue for even longer – with emergency gas main work on Wilford Road STILL unfinished.
Originally it was planned that two-way traffic signals would suffice whilst Cadent carried out repairs to a fractured gas main under Dutton’s Hill. However, last Wednesday (17th Nov) the busy route was suddenly shut without notice on safety grounds when it was discovered the gas leak was worse than anticipated. That closure was finally due to end on Monday (22nd Nov) however Via East Midlands has dropped the bombshell that it will now continue for a further week!
A spokesperson reveals: “Cadent Gas are still struggling with locating and repairing the gas leaks therefore the temporary road closure has been extended until Monday 29th November 2021*.”
During the closure, although official diversions for north-south traffic are (a lengthy route) around Ruddington, many drivers are opting instead to cut through via the narrow and congested St John’s Road and St Mary’s Crescent estate route – causing disturbance and frustration for local residents.
Ellie Luce says: “It is so dangerous on St Mary’s Crescent because of all the diverted traffic. Cars beeping and mounting the pavement to turn around. I’ve called highways to let them know, because I’m terrified that there will be an accident – involving cars and pedestrians.”
Nottingham City Transport has been forced to divert its Navy 3 service away from Ruddington village centre for the duration, now serving stops on Wilford Road and Clifton Road only, whilst CT4N’s Service 22 & 23 will continue to use the diversionary route of Europa Way, Landmere Lane and Wilford Road until Dutton’s Hill is reopened.
Village centre businesses have also been expressing their frustration – with many reporting a serious downturn in trade during the road closure. Whilst yellow “Business(es) Open as Usual” signs have been erected at some barriers, the reality is that the difficulty in accessing our village centre by car is leading many to shop or visit hospitality venues elsewhere. With this situation now due to be ongoing for ALMOST TWO WEEKS, there’s talk among local traders about seeking compensation for loss of earnings during this period. Not only that, High Street is also due to be dug up for three days immediately after!
Chair of Ruddington Village Centre Partnership, Mike Ader says: “The works on Dutton Hill have been a major problem for many traders in the village especially so that it has continued for longer than initially envisaged…..hitting trade at a time when they can least afford for it to happen.”
However, Mike reveals: “Having spoken personally to the on-site supervisor on a couple of occasions I have been reassured that the actual repair works are now complete, despite having found numerous more leaks whilst working, and they are looking to reinstate the road over the first few days of next week at the latest. I would hope that residents and visitors will return to visiting traders in their normal fashion next week – and that the Christmas market on Saturday, December 4th should be a real stimulus for people to come back into the village.”
The Dutton’s Hill debacle is just the latest in a catalogue of disruptive highway work around Ruddington this year, with more yet to come – and that includes a full road closure of High Street all day for the Christmas street market!
The full list of known Ruddington roadworks in the next few weeks can be found below:-
- Wed 15th November at 3.00pm *extended to Mon 29th November at 11.59pm – total road closure with prohibition of driving on Wilford Road between its junctions with Easthorpe Street and Manor Park (“Dutton’s Hill”) – for continuing work to repair gas escapes by Cadent
- Mon 22nd to Fri 26th Nov 9.30am to 3.30pm – Two way signals on Loughborough Road near Landmere Lane junction – repair of damaged safety barriers by Tarmac
- Tue 23rd to Thu 25th November – temporary two-way traffic signals on Camelot Street on the bend Between Shelton Gardens & Templeman Close – Emergency repair to small sluice valve by Severn Trent Water
- Tue 30th November at 8.00am to Thu December 2nd at 5.00pm – Four-way temporary traffic signals at the High Street/Parkyns Street junction – Three new water connections to the main by Severn Trent
- Thu 2nd Dec to Mon 6th Dec – Two way traffic lights on Wilford Road close to the Lodge Farm turn – work by BT OpenReach
- Sat 4th December from approx 6am to 10pm – Closure of High Street from its junction with Church Street to its junction with Kirk Lane – for Ruddington Christmas Market
Residents and visitors can expect delays and disruption for drivers, and also passengers using Kinchbus 9, CT4N Services 22 & 23 & Nottingham City Transport’s Navy 3 & Green 10C/10X Rushcliffe Country Park/Ruddington Fields buses and the NottsBus Connect Service 863, during the above work.
{NOTE: The above details are subject to potential change and updates due to the weather and other operational reasons. RUDDINGTON.info will provide timely revisions, here on our website, whenever we can. LAST UPDATE: 2.10pm Tue 23rd Nov}
