Flooding fears over major plans for A46 Newark bypass

Traffic on the A46 between Farndon and The Cattle Market
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Local leaders say they’re ‘nervous’ about making flooding worse if the major A46 Newark bypass road project goes ahead. A special planning meeting held on Monday (October 14) heard widespread support for the scheme, but also concerns for how it might worsen flooding.

The proposed £500m project would create a new flyover and turn parts of the single-lane road north of Newark into a dual carriageway. It’s hoped this would ease the chronic congestion residents say regularly grinds the town to a halt.

The plans have been submitted to the Government by roads body National Highways. Newark & Sherwood District Council has now prepared a report on how it could affect the area. There are “massive concerns” about the bypass being built on a floodplain, senior planning officer Lynsey Preston told the meeting on Monday (October 14).

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While compensation areas would be built to the north and south for flood water to go instead, it’s “unclear when they will be in place or if they’re sufficient". “We don’t want development in the autumn or winter on the floodplain and the water has nowhere to go,” she said.

Councillor Emma Oldham (Green) said: “I’m incredibly nervous about flooding. That area is one of the first places to go [during heavy rain], you can see the water rising close to the roads.”

She also asked if there would be compensation for the small group of residents who found themselves living next to a flyover after the road is built. Councillor Keith Melton (Lib Dem) said he was “torn” between the economic benefits and the risk of flooding.

An aerial view of traffic on the A46 at the Cattle Market roundabout in Newark
An aerial view of traffic on the A46 at the Cattle Market roundabout in Newark -Credit:National Highways

“We’ve been told some of the earth will be coming from Kelham fields. My ward has ten miles of Trent riverbank – more low-lying areas are a real concern,” he said.

Areas around Newark and the Trent Valley suffered from severe flooding last winter due after Storm Babet and Henk brought downpours. If approved, construction on the bypass would begin next year and would be complete by 2029.

Other councillors said the bypass was essential for keeping up with the growing traffic around Newark. Muskham Councillor Sue Saddington (Con) said: “This cannot come soon enough for me and the residents in my ward.

“Businesses are suffering in town because of the traffic. It’s starting to look derelict because people don’t want to drive in. We want our vibrant market town back, and to do that we need to get traffic moving.” The report also warned that major local employers such as Vodafone could leave Newark if the congestion doesn’t improve, and others were losing time and money.

Councillor Linda Dales (Con) also warned of “looming” housing developments in the area which could coincide with construction. “If the road is already snarled up, there’s not a Plan B,” she said.

The committee unanimously approved the report, saying they wanted clearer details on how traffic would be managed and flood problems alleviated. As the project is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport – MP Louise Haigh – who will have the final say.

It is expected this will happen sometime in 2025. Work is already ongoing on the seperarte Newark Southern Link Road project, a new three mile route connecting the A1 to the A46, south of Newark.

This £100 million project is funded with a combination of public and private investment, including £20m from the Levelling Up Fund. It is due to be complete next year, and will support a housing development of more than 2,600 homes.