A group of Nottinghamshire neighbours have opened up about life in a community where it feels that 'roadworks will never end'. Residents living near Arnold Lane in Mapperley have described how traffic can be a 'nightmare' at times as a section of the street was closed to allow it to be realigned and linked onto Colliery Way – the new name for Gedling Access Road.
Although the much-anticipated road is now open, work is still ongoing at the site with various roadworks planned in order for the road and surrounding areas to be fully completed and accessible for drivers. The works are part of the final phase of works on the Gedling Access Road.
Closures will be in place each evening between 8pm and 6am and have been split into two phases. The first phase of these works will take place at the Mapperley Plains, Plains Road, Gedling Road and Arnold Lane junction with a number of approaching roads also affected.
READ MORE: Major Gedling road to be closed for work linked to £49m bypass
Bary Steedman, who has lived in the area for nine years, said: "The residential roads are like a rat run because some lanes are blocked. It is a nightmare."
The 59-year-old, who works in IT, added: "It has always been like this. [The roadworks] just never end."
Him and Rachel Steedman were walking their dog on the pavement. The pair said the community can feel 'isolated' because of the roadworks.
Ms Steedman, who is 50 and works in NHS, said: "We do not have much to travel, but our son gets back home at 9pm sometimes, when the road is closed. It is a problem for him.
"The traffic is a nightmare, it causes dust and noise. It has always been busy, especially during school times.
"But during lockdown it was so bad because there was so much noise. The only positive, I think, is that walking on the pavement is safer because there are no cars speeding here anymore."
Ellie Smith, a student living in the area, said: "It is a nightmare because the road is completely closed between 8pm and 6am - it is like we are in a curfew. My mum works in Arnold, and I travel to Mansfield to go to work and just making it to the main road is a nightmare."
The 23-year-old added: "Everyone here exits on Bailey Drive now - it is just like waiting for an accident to happen. Arnold Lane was bad anyway as it was at school times - now it is just a complete nightmare."
Gary Wood, Head of Highways and Transport at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We have chosen to undertake these works overnight to minimise the disruption to motorists and residents. These resurfacing works are part of the last phase of works following the opening of Colliery Way in March and we would like to thank local residents and motorists for their patience whilst we have been working on this scheme."
Local residents with special circumstances including disabled access, health visits, deliveries and collections should contact Steve Whyld from Via East Midlands by calling 0115 804 2158 or by emailing gar@viaem.co.uk. Traffic Marshalls will also be at the junctions and the works area throughout the working periods to give advice on access for residents.
