As Ruddington’s temporary traffic lights chaos continues, with the chip shop work now over-running into a third week, the closure of a key village access route begins this Monday (September the 18th) after having been postponed on FOUR previous occasions.
Flawforth Lane for around 200 metres from the Flawford Churchyard corner up to the Wheatcroft roundabout was originally due to be shut in early February this year for seven weeks. But the improvements were put on hold until other roadworks nearby on the A52 and the delayed “Tavern Island” roundabout construction in Ruddington were completed. Another schedule in March and April was then proposed – and withdrawn – then some June and July dates listed – and withdrawn again – before July to September working was listed on the roadworks.org web site and even on roadside signage by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC). Then another council notice appeared stating that: “These roadworks have been rescheduled to accommodate the harvesting season.”
The latest dates now confirmed by NCC are from Monday 18th September to Friday 27th October. The good news is it seems only a SIX week closure will now be needed but the bad news is that it no longer falls within the school holidays. Apparently the road needs to be shut to allow the installation of a stormwater outfall along Flawforth Lane and an outfall into the drainage ditch due to the expected extra run-off from the new Bovis Homes development in former green fields to the north of the roundabout.
Although this country lane is not officially a major route to and from Ruddington it certainly is a popular shortcut for both village residents and commuters, particularly at peak times, so the closure will inevitably cause more hold-ups for drivers. During this period there is only emergency access to this part of Flawforth Lane and motorists who would normally drive that way from the Loughborough Road/Kirk Lane traffic lights to the roundabout will instead be diverted along the A60, via The Nottingham Knight roundabout, onto the A52 instead – and vice versa. The good news for cyclists and pedestrians, however, is that they will still be allowed through.
No bus routes will be directly affected by this diversion – though some delays to our services using Loughborough Road whilst Flawforth Lane is shut are probable.
