Newark lorry park relocation to make space for construction of A46 northern bypass key to £25m government Towns Fund development plan hears Newark and Sherwood District Council cabinet

The loss of land occupied by Newark Lorry Park to the A46 dualling scheme is said to be a significant driver in plans to relocate the site.

Loss of land on the northern and western boundaries due to the bypass construction would result in a reduction in capacity of approximately 30 to 40%.

At peak times, the existing lorry park is believed to average 95% of full capacity.

Cabinet members of Newark and Sherwood District Council met to discuss updates to plans for the future of the park, which also sees the land made available for two key town redevelopment plans.

Several suggested options for the current site include doing nothing and allowing the lorry park to remain, but at a reduced capacity, or to relocate to another site.

Pending the relocation of the lorry park, the residual land, and that of the former cattle market, would be used to create a Smart Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Zone (SiScLog).

Located next to the proposed Air and Space Institute, both of which are projects made possible by the £25m allocated to Newark under the government’s Towns Fund, the SiScLog would act as a focal point for business in priority sectors such as aerospace, advanced engineering, digital and other high value services which could help drive development in the area.

The report being discussed by cabinet set out to understand the impact of the A46 northern bypass construction project on the lorry park.

The district council supports the dualling of the A46 due to the positive impact it is predicted to have on easing congestion and traffic around Newark, but it was also acknowledged it would impact negatively the lorry park as it is.

Cabinet stressed the importance of having a lorry park facility for the town, as it currently brings in around £380,000 a year to the council.

However, while it thrives, improvements are needed to deal with waterlogging and dust, and amenities such as a shop, laundrette and eateries were requested by drivers.

Cabinet member Keith Girling said: “This is a prime example of levelling up.

“Thank goodness we chose not to develop the lorry park site sooner as it may have gotten in the way of the A46.

“It’s done a lot to help us through covid in terms of revenue and has performed very well for us.

“Now is probably the right time to look at moving it because all of the pieces are now in place to do that.”

Given the likely impact of the A46 Newark northern bypass proposals on the existing lorry park and the associated income loss to the council if it were to remain, but a reduced capacity, it was recommended that the preferred option remains the relocation of the lorry park elsewhere.

Newark Showground has been named as the preferred new site.

Cabinet members voted unanimously to continue to support the furtherance of proposals to aid the relocation, alongside negotiations with landowners, and discussions on appropriate compensation with National Highways over loss of land.