A councillor is leading calls for government funding to help tackle 'increasing traffic problems' in a "neglected" Nottinghamshire town. District councillor Sue Shaw has urged the county council to submit a bid as part of the government's Levelling Up fund to help bolster the road infrastructure in Retford.
As part of the second round of the government's fund, councils can apply for improvements to be made to roads and junctions worth up to £50m. Cllr Shaw has identified two key areas where funding could be best used in the town, Lincolnshire Live reports.
She said it could open up the possibility to deliver the 'long-awaited' Clarborough bypass, which she says would take large HGV traffic away from Tiln Lane, and upgrade the roundabouts and junctions on London Road to improve safety and traffic flow. Cllr Shaw said: "This is our chance to sort out the increasing traffic problems in Retford.
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"For far too long, Nottinghamshire County Council has neglected our town. They have had many chances to make traffic improvements over the years, however, they have kept on giving the green light to more housing developments and have missed every opportunity to put enhanced infrastructure in place.
"There is a £50m Levelling Up fund available for transport improvements for towns like ours and it’s up to the county council to apply for this money. This is our chance to get the money for the long-awaited Clarborough By-pass and to sort the safety issues on London Road.
"Sadly, children have died in recent years on Tiln Lane and this is our best chance to get the much-needed improvements." Cllr Shaw added that the clock was ticking, and said: "We need them to begin doing the evidence work on this now.
"Following the near misses and the accidents that local people have told me about I'm more than happy to assist with this." Nottinghamshire County Council did not respond to Lincolnshire Live's request for comment.
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