WORK to improve Nottingham's ring road is due to start at the end of the month.
Transport Minister Norman Baker announced yesterday that the Government has agreed to plough £12.8 million into the project.
The cash will allow work to start within the next four weeks at the ring road's junction with Aspley Lane.
It is hoped a number of measures will ease congestion on the A6514, which is used by 50,000 vehicles a day.
Nottingham City Council is adding an extra £3.4 million, bringing the total cost to £16.2 million.
Mr Baker said: "The ring road already suffers from congestion. Planned housing and employment growth will generate additional pressures.
"The work I have approved will ease this congestion, improve bus journey times and make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists."
The work will include:
Significant improvements of key junctions between the A60 Mansfield Road and the A52 by the Queen's Medical Centre. Junctions affected will be Aspley Lane, Hucknall Road and Crown Island (Wollaton Road);
Better road facilities for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists;
Widening sections of the carriageway in the central reservation to relieve congestion;
Repairing of worn-out bits of road;
Upgrade street lighting.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, city council portfolio holder for planning and transport, said: "This is positive news for Nottingham, for commuters, businesses and public transport users."
The work, which will take more than two years, will come at a time when the second and third tram lines are being constructed.
Mr Baker said there would be disruption to motorists but said that it would be kept to a minimum.
People living near the ring road agreed that it would bring benefits for them.
Alan Cross, 55, who lives near the site in Basford, said: "It is going to cause a lot of problems while they are doing the work, there is no doubt about that. But when you think of the end result then I believe it will be worth it."
Gordon Ball, also of Basford, added: "The whole of Nottingham needs it. It's good to see something happening if it helps the flow."
Will you benefit from the improved road, or are you concerned about the impact of roadworks? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
