The £100m Southern Link Road connecting the A1 to the A46 has officially opened in Newark.
Despite being advertised as opening ahead of schedule, Nottinghamshire CC had previously said that 'overall completion of the scheme' was expected in December last year.
However, after missing that date, work on the 5km single‑carriageway scheme seems to have progressed well and the opening of the road was in fact brought forward from September this year.
The budget for the scheme also appears to have largely held up. A 2022 report from Newark and Sherwood District Council put the price tag at 'circa £90m'.
Considering the significant inflationary pressures over the last four years, the district council celebrated the budgetary success and attributed it to 'a strong partnership between the public and private sectors'.
Funding for the project included a £65m investment from Urban&Civic, £20m from the UK Government, alongside significant contributions from Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and local public partners.
The project has been led by master developer Urban&Civic, working closely with Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, National Highways and other key partners.
It was constructed in stages by Breheny Civil Engineering and ECL Civil Engineering and includes new footpaths and drainage ponds, which enhance biodiversity and support sustainable water management across the area.
The new road unlocks land to the south of the town to help in the delivery of up to 3,150 new homes at Middlebeck, alongside employment opportunities and supporting infrastructure.
Cllr Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: 'The opening of this new road is great news for the whole district. It will help ease dreaded congestion and allow much-needed homes and employment opportunities to be delivered.'
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Mick Barton, added: 'The Southern Link Road demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnership working.
By bringing together public and private investment, we've been able to support a scheme that delivers real transport improvements while unlocking wider regeneration, housing growth and economic opportunities for Newark and the county.'
