On Tuesday, March 22 Colliery Way, formerly the Gedling Access Road, opened for the very first time. The route has undergone a number of alterations over the years having been in the pipeline since as early as the 1930s. Upon the completion of the 3.8km route, Agenda Editor Joseph Locker speaks to one man who has been involved in the project since the beginning to find out just how it finally came to be.
The original route of the Gedling Access Road had been proposed to run through Shearing Hill, cutting Gedling village in two. It has been drawn up as early as the 1930s but soon met strong opposition into the latter part of the century when plans began to gain footing.
Hundreds of people attended a public meeting, with residents having set up the Gedling Village Preservation Society in 1977 to oppose the original route. Many argued it would result in the loss of treasured green space, including Willow Park, as well as dividing a rich community for no good reason.
