Astonishingly the closure of one of Ruddington’s key access routes – which was due to start this Monday (July 24th) – has been postponed for a FOURTH time. Even the yellow signs had gone up on this occasion – before then being taken down again!
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 Another schedule in March and April was then proposed – and withdrawn – then some June and July dates listed – and withdrawn again – before their 24th July to 1st September 2017 dates were confirmed on the roadworks.org web site and on roadside signage by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC). But another new council notice states that “These roadworks have been rescheduled to accommodate the harvesting season.”
It’s now being suggested by NCC that only a FIVE week closure will be needed from Monday 18th September to Friday 20th October – but this will obviously be after the schools have returned. 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. When it DOES finally take place there will only be 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.
Meantime a photo (below) shared by Jonathan Witherall suggests that the village centre traffic misery caused by the painting of the Red Lion pub is over – with scaffolding being taken down. For the past week, four-way temporary traffic lights in use as a result have been causing long delays for Ruddington motorists and bus users alike.
