Plans to enlarge major A52 junctions approved

The Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft roundabouts will be improved under the plans

Work to reduce congestion by improving two major junctions on the A52 in south Nottinghamshire has been given the green light.

Approval of the scheme, which will see the Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft roundabouts enlarged, means work on the project can now go ahead.

Plans show the layout of the roundabouts will be changed, with a cut-through installed in the middle of the islands to help reduce journey times.

The project is part of a wider plan to reduce delays, increase capacity and improve pedestrian and cyclist routes on the A52.

National Highways said the secretary of state for transport, Heidi Alexander, backed the improvements following a public inquiry in July.

The hearing took place after National Highways submitted a compulsory purchase order and side roads order to Alexander to allow the development to go ahead.

Work on a number of projects on the A52 has been taking place since 2021

Jonathon Pizzey, senior project manager at National Highways, said: "We welcome this decision which is a pivotal step in our proposals to transform an important east-west link road in Nottinghamshire, connecting communities and key parts of the city and its surrounding towns.

"It has always been our priority to help reduce congestion at these busy junctions and keep traffic flowing, and we remain committed to improving commuter journeys while supporting the long-term growth of the region."

Work has already been completed on the A52 to improve four smaller junctions at Bingham, Stragglethorpe, Silverdale and Gamston.

The Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft junctions are the largest part of the project and mark the final stage of the planned works to increase the capacity of the A52 in south Nottinghamshire.