Work starts on £150m widening scheme

Work has started on a £150m improvement to a seven mile stretch of the A453 between M1 Junction 24 and the A52 Nottingham Ring Road.

Laing O'Rourke is main contractor on the scheme which will be completed in summer 2015.

Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said: “Upgrading and widening the A453 demonstrates this Government’s commitment to improving our road network and helping to stimulate growth.

“Extra capacity on the road will deliver significant economic benefits for both local businesses and motorists while helping to improve road safety.”

Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Deighton said: “The Government is committed to getting Britain the first-class infrastructure we need to compete on a global scale, and the A453 is another example of how we’re delivering projects that will boost growth across the country. We’re getting vital projects moving and we need to continue this momentum.

“We will be investing more than two billion pounds into roads projects over the next two years, with the Highways Agency developing and starting work on 19 major projects.

"Once completed, these projects will add around 250 miles of additional lanes for drivers, easing congestion, creating jobs and supporting homeowners and businesses alike.”