Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Local Impact Report finds A46 dualling “likely to improve the reputation of Newark”

Plans to dual a stretch of the A46 are likely to “improve the reputation of Newark”, a report has concluded.

The Local Impact Report for the scheme — which will see the single-carriageway section of the major road dualled, between Farndon roundabout and the Winthorpe, and a flyover at Cattle Market roundabout — is set to be submitted to the Examining Authority if approved by members of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee on Monday (October 14).

It is the council’s only opportunity to fully explain the impacts of the scheme — and any positives or negatives it would bring for the area — to the examiner, as part of the six-month examination period before a recommendation is made to the Secretary of State.

Summarising the lengthy report, council officers stated “the scheme is likely to improve the reputation of Newark due to improved accessibility and remove the stigma of not attending due to poor traffic and increase the local economy and tourism”.

Without the scheme, National Highways predicts traffic in and around Newark will increase by 8% between 2019 and 2028, and by 18% between 2019 and 2043, in what the report describes as an ‘already congested network’.

The report stated that “whilst there could be some disadvantages [to the scheme, it] could bring long term benefits for the area as a result”, and it’s overall effect considered to be neutral.

A positive impact on the socio-economic climate is expected, as the report highlights Midlands Connect research which found the current condition of the A46 was negatively affecting business, and in some cases costing firms and the local economy money.

It concluded the ‘bottlenecked’ single-carriageway “acts as a hindrance to making the most of this strategic location”.

Despite the improvements to the economy and ease of travel, the report highlights the council’s concerns which remain regarding the impact cultural heritage, landscape character, flood risk and residential amenity, particularly in the Sandhills Park and Winthorpe areas — all of which are currently considered to be negative.

The report stated: “These matters will require significant mitigation to be considered acceptable and thus compliant with local policy.”

Key concerns include the residual significant effect on landscape character at Winthorpe village and farmlands after 15 years of operation. It is the only area identified as having significant residual effects, and the council’s report suggestes further mitigation — such as additional planting — could improve this impact.

Additionally, the council report found that the methodology used to asses residual effects on heritage assets had been used incorrectly, and noted Newark Parish Church had not been included in the assessment. Due to limited information the council report concluded the proposal “fails to accord with local policy”.