A MAJOR A-road used by thousands of drivers every day has been hit with 12 months worth of closures – sparking travel chaos for commuters.
Significant diversions will extend along the A52 Derby Road in Nottingham.
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Priory Island, on the border of Wollaton and Lenton Abbey, to the Queen‘s Medical Centre island, makes up the affected area – National Highways has announced.
It covers 1.4 miles of road which runs along Wollaton Park.
The 12-month issue of roadworks starts this spring.
A new cycleway and footpath is also set to be created by engineers to allow access from the park to the University of Nottingham.
Plus, improvements to pedestrian lighting-controlled crossings on the popular stretch are in the making.
Along with a new 24/7 one-way system between the two roundabouts to manage traffic.
However, the westbound carriageway is set to close for a whopping four months.
Followed by the eastbound carriageway for a further two months.
Traffic will be diverted from Priory roundabout next to Woodside Road and the University of Boulevard to re-join the A52 at Dunkirk Island.
The works are meant to improve congestion on the A52, engineers say.
As the area currently experiences significant capacity issues at many junctions resulting in queuing and delays.
The agency’s project manager, Sue Chambers said: “This scheme is designed to provide a new modern road that will improve the experience of the road users, cyclists and walkers who use it.
“The work will take around 12 months to complete but by doing all the work together we will reduce long-term disruption to road users, stakeholders and local residents.”
Drainage systems are also set to be improved.
Work will mainly be carried out during the day but traffic management will take place across eight phases.
However, some activities may take place overnight, National Highways warns.
The work will initially take place with ongoing bridge repairs at QMC Roundabout, which has already caused disruption for drivers.
And caused buses to divert.
But the QMC bridge repairs should finish this summer.
Improvements to Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft junctions, to the south of the country will begin later in the year.
