Nottinghamshire County Council expect repair and resurfacing work to be completed on Queen’s Road, Newark, by end of February
A road plagued by sinkholes due to a damaged culvert is expected to reopen next month — nearly a year after it was shut to traffic.
Despite recent delays due to inclement weather, Nottinghamshire County Council expect Queen’s Road, Newark, to be repaired, resurfaced and open to traffic by the end of February.
The road was first closed in April 2023, when a sinkhole appeared. It reopened for a few days after repair work took place, before closing again due to a second sinkhole.
The issues were found to be caused by a collapsed brick Victorian culvert running underneath the road.
Work to repair the culvert has now recommenced following delays caused by recent storms, Nottinghamshire County Council has explained.
The repairs to the culvert on Queen’s Road had been delayed due to unsafe working conditions — as high levels in the nearby River Trent meant the culvert was full of water.
Conditions over the recent fortnight have improved enough for the water to be pumped out and the works, which involved laying new pipes into the culvert, to recommence.
Contractors are working on-site, and are planning to work weekends where possible, with the aim to complete the repairs and fully resurface the road by the end of February, subject to any further significant weather events.
Neil Clarke, cabinet member for transport and environment at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We’re pleased that the repairs at Queen’s Road are back underway and hope that the remainder of the project can be completed without any further delays.
“When working below ground in a confined space on a watercourse, particularly when there is a major river so close by, the safety of workers is paramount.
“It’s been frustrating that the weather has been against us, from the detailed investigations taking place in late summer, through to the impacts of Storm Henk early this month.
“Whilst we can’t guarantee that there won’t be more significant rainfall, we can let residents and road users know that we’re expecting the road to be resurfaced and opened by the end of February, and repair teams are working hard to make sure it happens.
“We understand the frustration that these delays have caused and thank people in the area for their patience.”
The junction is one of the busiest in Newark, and during the closure drivers have been diverted via Northgate, Northern Road and Sleaford Road, as well as many using smaller residential streets.
