The end of the Easter holidays heralds another period of disruption for Ruddington’s long-suffering residents and motorists due to the long-term junction remodelling work at the Kirk Lane/Loughborough Road/Flawforth Lane crossroads.
From Tuesday 2nd until Friday 26th April 2024 the current one-way system between Flawforth Avenue and Loughborough Road is replaced with the complete closure of Flawforth Lane at that point for Cadent Gas to complete its mains pipe work under the road. As well as this meaning a long way around for through-traffic, residents and businesses along Flawforth Lane and Flawforth Avenue, and on the new Blacksmith’s Green estate, are faced with a considerable detour via the A60 and A52 to access their properties to and from Loughborough Road or our village centre. The only ‘silver lining’ is the 4-way temporary traffic lights at the junction becoming only 3-way, potentially easing the Loughborough Road/Kirk Lane traffic queues a little during April.
Since this major highways project began in July 2023 – to improve the layout if the busy Ruddington junction – it has caused major frustration due to long, peak-time delays for drivers and bus passengers, and had a significant impact on nearby residents. Before the widening work could even begin, numerous contractors – also including Severn Trent Water, National Grid, Virgin Media and BT Openreach – have had to be called in to install or reconfigure utility connections at the crossroads.
Only after this latest gas pipe work is finished can the reconfiguration of the junction of the A60 with Flawforth Lane and Kirk Lane finally begin. That involves the widening of the carriageway and footpaths on all approaches, as shown above, which includes alterations to the traffic lights and street lighting. The works were part of the s278 agreement between housebuilders William Davis Homes and Avant Homes, which have major developments still under construction in the village (along Loughborough Road and north of Asher Lane respectively).
Via East Midlands now anticipates all this necessary work won’t be completed until Friday 11th October 2024 – fifteen months after it first began! That means it’s likely either to delay or clash with other major roadworks in and around Ruddington – namely to replace the leaky gas main under Dutton’s Hill* and the major roundabouts improvement work along the A52.**
Other significant highway work which is likely to cause disruption in Ruddington during April is listed below:-
Tuesday 2nd to Friday 4th April 2024 – Multi-way signals at the junction of Loughborough Road and Ashworth Avenue – Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Severn Trent.
Friday 7th April 2024 from 11.30am until 5.30pm – Temporary Traffic Lights on High Street at the Church Street junction, plus footpath closure – Utility Assett Works by OpenReach.
Monday 15th April 2024 at 8.30am to Friday 26th April 2024 at 3.30pm – Two-way temporary signals on Mere Way adjacent to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre pedestrian entrance – construction of two new bus stops by Nottinghamshire County Council.
Saturday 20th April 2024 at 8am until Sunday 21st April 2014 at 4pm – Temporary Traffic Lights on High Street between Kirk Lane and The Green – Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Severn Trent.
Looking further ahead…
*As we previously reported, following a number of gas leaks in recent years needing emergency repairs, Cadent Gas also needs to carry out substantial further work on Wilford Road to replace the troublesome old iron gas main under ‘Dutton’s Hill’ with a “more durable” plastic pipe. However, this has been postponed by VIA East Midlands until other disruptive work in Ruddington is finished… meaning it’s now likely not to be carried out until late in 2024.
**Also later in 2024, National Highways has previously announced the long planned major roadworks to enlarge both the Nottingham Knight Island and Wheatcroft Island on the A52 should begin in earnest this September. Find more details >>HERE<<.
Residents and visitors should anticipate delays and diversions for motorists, and also disruption for passengers using Kinchbus 9, Nottingham City Transport’s Navy 3 & Green 10/10C/10X buses and the NottsBus Connect Service 863 during these roadworks.
PLEASE NOTE: The information given above is subject to potential change and updates due to the weather and other operational reasons. RUDDINGTON.info will always endeavour to provide accurate information, and timely revisions here on our website, whenever we can. However we cannot be held responsible for any errors. {LAST UPDATE: Sunday 31st March 2024.}
