Busy road to get lane status
The A612 is to be downgraded from an A road to the equivalent of a country lane.
It is the first time in decades an A road has been declassified to a C road.
The new classification will apply from Upton to Lowdham.
Nottinghamshire County Council decided to declassify the road. There will be a period of consultation starting in January before it can apply to the Department for Transport for a traffic regulation order.
The Advertiser reported earlier this month that a weight restriction was also to be introduced on the A612 from Lowdham to Averham Flash.
The county councillor for the area, Mr Bruce Laughton, said the declassification and the weight restriction would help protect the historical centre of Southwell.
He said: “This is something that is needed and has been campaigned for in Southwell for some time.
“We have been applying plasters to an open wound for a long time with speed restrictions, interactive signs, but this is a healing tonic that will protect one of the historic greats of our county.
“Southwell Minster, the Saracen’s Head, and all of the other historically-significant buildings that make up Southwell will be protected forever.
“The significance of this should not be underestimated.”
The declassification will mean that new satellite navigation systems will no longer recognise the route as an A road, diverting the majority of traffic away from it.
It will be used more and more by only those with local knowledge.
The weight restriction will prevent HGVs using the road for anything other than access.
Mrs Katy Todd, of Church Street, Southwell, said if the declassification went ahead it would be an improvement for the town.
Mrs Todd and other residents successfully campaigned for changes to be made to the road layout on Church Street after safety concerns.
She said: “Some people will not like to see the A612 being downgraded for all sorts of reasons and I think their views have to be taken into account as well because obviously this is a living town and it is essential traffic can move through it freely.
“But the heavy lorries are a problem and it would be very good if they were directed elsewhere.”
