Newark traffic: Overhead signs could be installed on A1

Highways England is looking at ways to improve the safety of the A1 and the A46 around Newark.

It was revealed at a traffic summit organised by Newark MP Robert Jenrick that the A1/A46 junction north of the town is the worst for collisions in the area of the country between Milton Keynes and Sheffield, Lincoln and Coventry.

It is 27th worst for accidents which result in deaths or serious injuries.

Mr Mark Roxburgh, of Highways England, told the traffic summit the number of collisions had dropped in recent years, but he was looking at ways of making the roads safer.

He said overhead signs would be installed over the A1 at Newark to warn motorists of accidents, hazards or congestion ahead as a top priority and could be up within months.

Other solutions included putting cameras near the signs so Highways England can monitor congestion and the impact of accidents and update the signs accordingly.

It will also widen the cross-hatchings on Great North Road near cattle market roundabout to reduce the number of accidents caused by motorists overtaking.

These measures will be in addition to the southern relief road which is being built to link-up the A1 at Fernwood to the A46 at Farndon.

Highways England will try to find funding for the improvements between 2020 and 2025.

It is said £200m would need to be spent, Improvements would include dualling the A46 Newark bypass and improving the cattle market, Brownhills and Winthorpe roundabouts.

But Highways England said they did not know when funding would become available.

Mr Jenrick had asked if the project could be brought forward but revealed it was unlikely due to its complexity.

Mr Roxburgh revealed that Highways England had also considered a speed limit reduction on the A1 and A46 but ruled it out due to the negative economic impact it would have on Newark.

It also ruled out putting signals on major roundabouts around Newark because they were considered to be too small to accommodate them.