Highways Agency

• A46 Newark to Widmerpool Improvement

A46 Newark to Widmerpool Improvement

Scheme History

The Programme of Major Schemes

In 2001, the Government announced a package of transport proposals to be taken forward as part of the 10 Year Plan. Among the proposals the A46 Newark to Widmerpool Improvement Scheme was added to the Highways Agency's Programme of Major Schemes. Since then, the Highways Agency has appointed Brown and Root (trading subsequently as KBR and now Jacobs Babtie) as the firm of consulting engineers to take the scheme forward.

Public Consultation

The consultants undertook a thorough review of an earlier scheme developed to Preferred Route Announcement in the early 1990s. This process led to the development of a Preferred Scheme which went to Public Consultation during 2003. The consultation period began on 21st March 2003 with approximately 8,500 brochures being delivered to properties along the route. We also sent brochures to other interested parties. Further copies of the brochure were also available from local libraries, post offices and petrol stations.

In April 2003 there were 875 visitors to the Public Exhibitions held at Cotgrave and Kelham and we received 1,550 written responses including 30 from a number of public bodies and other organisations. The consultation period closed on 20th June 2003. There was overwhelming support in principle for dualling the existing road and 60% of the respondents were in favour of the exhibited proposals.

Contract Award

A contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty (Civil Engineering Ltd) on 15th March 2004. The award is a Highways Agency 'Early Contractor Involvement' contract which brings the contractor into the delivery team at an early stage. This allows the scheme to benefit both from the contractor's experience, encouraging innovative solutions, and improved consideration of environmental and archaeological issues.

The contractor then developed detailed design proposals in preparation for the announcement of the preferred route. All of the issues raised during the Public Consultation were carefully considered and taken into account when developing these modified proposals.

Preferred Route Announcement

Following careful consideration of all of the responses received during Public Consultation, the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed on 5^th July 2005 that the A46 Newark to Widmerpool Improvement should be taken forward for further development.

As a result of the Secretary of State's decision, the line of the new route is now protected against any future planning development. Balfour Beatty, with their designer Scott Wilson, have been developing the preferred route and preparing draft Orders, as required under the Highways Act 1980. The early involvement of these experienced contractors has ensured that best practice and innovation have been central to the development of the proposals.

Draft Orders

The Highways Agency published the draft Orders on 9th December 2005, along with the Environmental Statement that describes the proposals, their effects on the environment and the mitigation measures we propose to reduce any adverse effects.

Following the publication of draft Orders, the Highways Agency held exhibitions of the proposals at Cotgrave Welfare Centre on 13th and 14th January and Newark Town Hall on 20th and 12st January. Representatives from the Highways Agency, the contractor Balfour Beatty, their designer Scott Wilson and the consultant Jacobs Babtie (formerly KBR) were present to explain the proposals and answer questions.

The draft Orders provide the legal basis of the Secretary of State for Transport's proposals for the new road and the detrunking of parts of the existing A46.

The Order plans show the line of the new road, the roads to be improved, alterations to accesses and public rights of way and the land required for construction of the project.

You can inspect the draft Orders and Environmental Statement free of charge during normal office hours at the following locations:

• Nottinghamshire County Council, Trent Bridge House, Fox Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6BJ
• Newark & Sherwood District Council, Kelham Hall, Kelham, Newark NG23 5QX
• Rushcliffe Borough Council, Civic Centre, Pavilion Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 2FE

The Environmental Statement is available free of charge on CD-ROM from Balfour Beatty / Scott Wilson (printed copies £250) at the following address:

• Pam Melrose, A46 Project Office, Royal Court, Basil Close, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 7SL

More detailed plans are also available on request.

As published on 31 March, a Public Inquiry into the proposals will be held later this year before an indepedent Inspector. We will notify those who have responded of the date and the venue at least six weeks beforehand. We will also publish notices in the local press.

The Secretary of State will consider the Inspector's Report, together with any objections and representations made, before making his decision on the future of the project.