Winthorpe residents are pleased about the new A46 bypass, despite original concerns that the road could cause problems for the village. It was announced on Wednesday, August 24, by National Highways that the new bypass near Newark will be designed and constructed by Skanska and its design partner, Mott McDonald.
This new Nottinghamshire bypass will fill in the dual carriageway gap on the crucial A46 trade corridor. This will ease congestion for drivers, lower the risk of accidents and give businesses a more reliable connection for trade.
The dual carriageway scheme, between the Farndon and Winthorpe junctions, will also tackle the traffic bottlenecks on the outskirts of Newark as well as improving journeys for the 17,000 drivers who use this Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor.
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In February 2022, National Highways announced Option 2 Modified as its preferred plan for the bypass, a design which incorporated suggestions from the local communities following an extensive public consultation exercise. Surveys and assessments are now being carried out to develop the design of the preferred route further.
Another public consultation will be held in October, to share the more detailed proposals and seek local views ahead of submitting the Development Consent Application in late 2023 to the Planning Inspectorate, who will then make the recommendation to the Transport Secretary. The main construction work for the bypass is expected to begin in 2025 and the scheme is expected to cost between £400m and £500m.
Following the initial plans released in December 2020, many residents in Winthorpe were unhappy with the proposed bypass and said it would be "disastrous" for the village. A Think Again Winthorpe A46 Residents campaign group was set up at the time, but many residents are now approving of the new plans and are appreciative of the changes being made.
Winthorpe resident, Tim Holland, 59, said: "I don't mind it at all, as it will just improve getting around Newark, so it's only a better thing.
"I know people don't like it because the roads will be closer but we have a lot of trees there and you can't hear the noise. I think it will be a good thing, and it will make life so much easier."
A 72 year old resident of the village who did not wish to be named said: "I think for future generations its going to be a bit better, but there's always a cost. It's pretty noisy here now with the A46 when the wind is in the right direction.
"Those roundabouts are trouble, why ever could they not have had some traffic lights put in. Getting off the A1 is difficult, it's really bad."
Retired Peter Sharp, 65, of Winthorpe, said: "The bypass improvements are long overdue, there was a meeting at the Nelson Pub last night about it. The proposal currently on the table looks a lot better than previous proposals as it doesn't involve encroaching into the village anywhere near as much.
"It will take a few years to build, but once it's done it will be a big improvement. I'm not saying everything would be solved, but it would be a lot better."
His wife, Sue Sharp, 64, of Winthorpe agreed. She said: "I think we are really pleased that the input from the village has had a very positive impact on the plan and without that we would have had a lot more unsatisfactory situation for the village.
"Without their input we would have been in a lot worse situation. Highways England seem to have taken on what was put forward."
When asked her thoughts on the bypass, Sue said: "It's needed, but with as little impact on the village as possible. I think they have done a really excellent job."
Another Winthorpe resident who did not wish to be named said: "Obviously it's needed but I'm not too sure on what they are proposing right now. As long as it's not coming any closer to the village and the two houses on Hargon Lane haven't got to go."
Construction worker, Mark Hammond, 50, of Collingham, is also pleased with the plans. He said: "It's going to be a lot of hard work, but it's been a long time in the making and I think it is a very good idea.
"For a village like this they have changed the plans a few times because of the way that the road has been situated by the village, as with it being so near to the village it would be a lot of noise.
"Whichever way you look at it, there's going to be a massive improvement. Whatever they do, I hope they do a good job with it."
Mark added: "It's going to be good for this area, and it's going to be nice when it is all completed."
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