'Outdated' Nottingham city centre roundabout to be replaced

Government funds have been secured to pay for the revamp of the roundabout

Work is to get under way to remove a "polluted and outdated" roundabout in Nottingham city centre.

The city council is planning an £8.97m revamp of the "traffic-dominated" junction, where Maid Marian Way meets Derby Road and Upper Parliament Street.

The authority said the work would make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The main phase of the work is set to start in April, but preparatory work is due to start later.

The council said up to two weeks of preparatory work, to fell 11 trees and clear vegetation, would require the closure of a lane of traffic on weekdays from 09:30 to 15:30 GMT.

It said it intended to plant 41 trees in the area once the government-funded project was complete in the spring of 2025.

An artist's impression shows new trees, which will be planted on the edge of the revamped junction

The completed scheme will see the roundabout replaced with a traffic light-controlled T-junction with pedestrian crossing points and improved cycle facilities, the council said.

The authority said when the work was finished, traffic heading south from the western side of Maid Marian Way would be able to turn right from Mount Street.

A new left turn will also be opened in Park Row to allow traffic to head north on to Maid Marian Way, the council added.

Councillor Angela Kandola, the council's portfolio holder for transport, said: "This is a rare opportunity to transform a polluted, outdated roundabout so that more consideration, priority and space is given to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as improving the junction for vehicles."

The city council declared itself effectively bankrupt in November and currently has tight restrictions on its spending.

However, it said it was able to carry on with the scheme because it had secured funding for it from the government.