Nottinghamshire County Council urge government to commit to improvements for the A46 at Newark and the A614 between Ollerton and Lowdham

Senior Nottinghamshire county councillors have asked the government whether major schemes promised by the previous administration will still go ahead.

Spades were about to go in the ground for improvements to the A614/A6097 road between Ollerton and Lowdham when the new Secretary of State for Transport ordered a review of all promised spending.

Nottinghamshire leaders have also called for the A46 Newark bypass to remain a priority.

The new Labour government said last month that many of the Conservatives’ transport spending promises were unfunded or unviable, and it is reviewing all projects.

Council leader Ben Bradley has written to Transport Minister Louise Haigh to stress the importance of local schemes, along with cabinet members.

Keith Girling, cabinet member for economic development and asset management, described the A46 bypass as a “no brainer”.

“The A46 business case is absolutely massive. Newark is going to be kept in the dark ages otherwise,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“Any problem on the A1 gridlocks the whole town. It can take 15 or 20 minutes to get a quarter of a mile.

“The bypass could attract millions — maybe billions — of pounds of investment to the region. It’s been on the government’s to-do list for a long time. All the MPs and councils on the route support it.

“The current problems put businesses off. They want secure transport routes without delays, and they know there are risks around Newark.

“I’d like to think the government sees sense and has the courage to do it, and it doesn’t get delayed for years.”

Neil Clarke, cabinet member for transport and environment, is also keen to see work on the A614 corridor between Ollerton and Lowdham.

“We are anxiously hoping that the government will let us get on with the project — the workforce is waiting with shovels in hands to get on,” he said.

“It’s absolutely vital for reducing journey times and improving safety on this key road, which connects the north of the county with the A46.

“Residents and businesses who use Nottinghamshire roads will see a tremendous difference if this goes ahead.”

The county council will also re-evaluate its own planned work on the junction of Mickledale Lane, which was dependent on the government scheme.

The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment.

Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh previously said: “The financial inheritance this government has received is extremely challenging.

“The previous administration has left a £22 billion public spending gap this year alone — £2.9 billion of which is unfunded transport commitments.

“Communities up and down the country have been given hope for new transport infrastructure, with no plans or funds to deliver them.

“I am commissioning an internal review of DfT’s capital spend portfolio. We will bring in external expertise and move quickly to make recommendations about current and future schemes.”