Newark and Sherwood District Council, in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council and Urban&Civic, has been successful in the bid for a £20 million investment, into the Southern Link Road (SLR), from the central Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).
This is one of just 17 successful bids out of 84 UK-wide authorities that submitted, and the only successful bid from a Nottinghamshire district.
With £4.8 billion being invested into the UK’s high value local infrastructure, the LUF aims to support investment in places where it can make the biggest difference to everyday life, and support local areas in selecting genuine local priorities.
The £20 million investment will go toward completing the SLR, which will form the missing link of Newark’s outer loop road by connecting the A46 at Farndon to the A1 at Balderton. The site master developer, Urban&Civic (U&C) has already commenced the first phase of the development. This funding will allow the remaining delivery of Middlebeck, one of the Strategic Urban Extension (SUE) sites around Newark.
Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Our bid was built on solid proposals that will support our vision for Newark’s future, improving both transport and the growth of our district.”
The first stages of the development of the SLR are complete and have already provided 600 homes, a brand new primary school and open space in the community. This investment will unlock a further 2,651 homes, two-million square foot of employment space, local centres, a care home, a new country park, and new sports and recreation facilities including pedestrian and cycleways.
Urban&Civic, NSDC, and NCC are now working at pace to ensure that works can start as soon as possible. It is hoped that a contract will be let to build all of the remaining SLR next year, with the road being open no later than Spring 2023.
Mike van den Berg, senior development manager at Urban&Civic, added: “We are delighted that our work with NSDC and NCC to secure the funding has been successful. The SLR is a vital piece of infrastructure to support local economic growth, jobs and provide more homes. Our new community will also be thrilled with the news with many of them choosing to buy a home at Middlebeck to benefit from both its access to green spaces and the connectivity offered through the SLR.”
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Ben Bradley MP, said that £20m investment into the Newark and Sherwood district was “a massive boost for the economy in that area” and he welcomed the funding for completion of the Southern Link Road.
Councillor Bradley said: “This investment will regenerate the Newark and Sherwood area and I welcome it wholeheartedly, as will most residents who see the SLR as a vital connecting link between the A46 and A1.
“Improving the infrastructure of an area is vital to boost economic growth and I look forward to the road opening in early 2023.”
Councillor Bradley added that the Levelling Up Fund would help to regenerate areas by creating new jobs and improving skills, which ultimately leads to a higher paid, better skilled workforce.
