After another short period back on the old traffic lights, following the timely completion of cable re-routing work by Virgin Media, potentially disruptive work resumes at the Kirk Lane/Loughborough Road/Flawforth Lane crossroads this week.
Since this major highways project began in July 2023 – to improve the layout and install or reconfigure utility connections at 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. The latest bombshell from Via East Midlands is that it now anticipates all the necessary work at the junction won’t be completed until Friday 11th October 2024 – fifteen months after it first began! This is 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.**
First up, temporary 4-way signals are returning this Monday 5th February for pipe diversion work by Cadent Gas which will continue right the way through until Friday 26th April. However, following residents’ concerns, the total closure of Flawforth Lane at the Loughborough Road junction (which would mean a significant diversion for commuters and for village residents who live at the other side of it) has now been postponed. If it’s still required, it won’t now be shut until the final few weeks of Cadent‘s work from Tuesday 2nd April. The only ‘silver lining’ would be that the 4-way temporary traffic lights at the junction would then become only 3-way, potentially easing the Loughborough Road/Kirk Lane traffic queues a little at that point.
Only after this latest gas pipe work is completed 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).
Other major highway work of which we are currently aware, which is likely to cause disruption in Ruddington in the months ahead, is listed below:-
Extended until Friday 11th October 2024 – further major work at the Kirk Lane/Loughborough Road/Flawforth Lane crossroads – for junction renovation including diversions of utility services, resulting from s278 agreement with developers – various contractors including Severn Trent Water, Cadent Gas, National Grid, Virgin Media & BT Openreach.
Monday 12th February 2023 at 8.00am – Tuesday 13th February at 5.00pm – Total closure of Parkyns Street – Utility Repair and Maintenance Works by Severn Trent Water.
Other ‘exploratory’ work, which might be of interest to villagers, will be happening near ‘Tavern Island’ on Clifton Road from Monday 12th February at 9.30am until 3.00pm on Wednesday 14th February. During this period there’s to be excavation in the footway to determine the depth of utility services there for ‘design purposes’ for the installation of a proposed ‘Toucan’ pedestrian crossing. Workers will be digging up the pavement area outside ‘Victoria Court’ and also on the opposite side of Clifton Road in the grass verge and on the pavement adjacent to ‘Bella Court’. Watch this space!
And there’s more…
*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.
RUDDINGTON.info will aim to bring you details of additional or rescheduled village roadworks as and when we receive them.
{PLEASE NOTE: The information above is subject to potential change and updates due to the weather and other operational reasons. We will provide timely revisions, here on our website, whenever we can. LAST UPDATE: Sunday 4th Febuary 2024.}
