THE redevelopment of Nottingham's ring road has moved a step closer after the city council committed £3.2 million to the project.
The Government has already given the £16.1 million scheme the go-ahead, but the council is waiting for the final sign-off from the Department for Transport, which is contributing £12.8 million.
On Tuesday, the council's executive board backed funding for the scheme. Work could start as early as April and finish in the summer of 2015.
In 2009, the Government had approved plans for a £44 million scheme but this has been watered down after the coalition said costs must be cut.
Some of the main improvements planned include:
Widening the southbound carriageway of Middleton Boulevard from Crown Island, Wollaton, to the QMC.
Western Boulevard widened from two to three lanes in the clockwise direction in three sections: between Crown Island and Beechdale Road, between Beechdale Road and Aspley Lane, and from Aspley Lane to Nuthall Road.
Conversion of Aspley Lane roundabout into a traffic light junction.
Widening the roundabout at the Hucknall Road junction to provide extra lanes.
Road resurfacing in both directions of Western Boulevard between Wilkinson Street and Western Boulevard Spur.
There will also be numerous upgrades to pedestrian and cyclist crossings.
One of the main changes that will not now happen is the widening of Basford bridge.
The ring road is used by up to 48,000 vehicles a day and it is hoped the improvements will cut congestion at bottlenecks.