Nottingham A52 to Undergo Full Weekend Closure Due to Unforeseen Challenges
National Highways has announced significant changes to its major A52 improvement scheme in Nottingham, citing unforeseen challenges that have impacted the project timeline. The agency has revised its work programme to address delays caused by recent storms and unexpected obstacles, with one key alteration being a full weekend closure of the road.
Revised Work Programme Aims to Accelerate Completion
The A52 improvements, which began in May of last year, are focused on the stretch between the Priory roundabout and the QMC roundabout. National Highways stated that this section of the A52 is nearing the end of its serviceable life, necessitating these upgrades. However, the project has faced setbacks due to a variety of issues.
Sue Chambers, National Highways Project Manager, explained the situation: “With any major infrastructure project like this there will also be unforeseen challenges and we must respond accordingly. These have included wildlife and ecological constraints, extreme weather, issues with unidentified utilities and working in a tight construction corridor.”
To mitigate these delays, the agency has implemented a revised schedule. The most notable change is a full weekend closure scheduled from 8pm on Friday, March 27, until 6am on Monday, March 30. This closure is expected to replace the need for six weeks of overnight closures, potentially saving several weeks of work time.
Impact on Motorists and Community Response
National Highways acknowledges the disruption caused by roadworks, especially for a project of this scale. Ms Chambers emphasized the agency's commitment to minimizing inconvenience: “We fully appreciate how disruptive any roadworks can be, especially a scheme of this size, and are constantly reviewing our programme to see if we can minimise the impact on motorists and communities.”
She added that the team has worked diligently to overcome the challenges and keep the scheme on track. Ms Chambers expressed gratitude for the patience shown by residents and road users, stating: “We want to thank residents and road users for their patience and are happy that they will soon be enjoying all the benefits these improvements will bring.”
The changes to the work programme are designed to get the project back on schedule after the disruptions. National Highways hopes that by consolidating work into a single weekend closure, they can expedite completion and reduce the overall duration of traffic interruptions.
Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes during the closure period and stay updated on further announcements from National Highways regarding the A52 improvements.
