Newark and Sherwood District Council rules safety works must go ahead before A1 Welcome Break services in Fernwood near Newark can open

A new service station will have to delay its opening after a variation to the original planning application was rejected.

Safety concerns were raised after Welcome Break asked to open its new service station at Fernwood before completing necessary permanent access works.

Residents and councillors felt that opening prior to all work being completed would lead to accidents and endanger pedestrians.

One issue of concern is that it was felt the current layout prevented cars from safely leaving the services and turning right.

Welcome Break has since applied for two-way traffic signals to be put in place on the B6326 between Balderton and the Fernwood roundabout during the installation of a right-turn lane.

Works will now start on Monday and run to December 21.

Construction will halt over the Christmas period and begin again in the new year on January 5 with a scheduled end date of February 26.

The lights will be in operation from 9:30 am to 3:30pm on weekdays and from 8am to 6pm on weekends.

Some minor clearance work will take place on the verge opposite the site and involve the removal of a few small trees and the strimming of brambles and regrowth that has taken place since it was last cleared.

Newark and Sherwood District Council was responsible for reviewing the application and reaching a decision.

A Newark and Sherwood spokesman said: “The district council received the application to vary the plans in August.

“Following engagement with consultees, the proposal was refused permission in October, due to highway safety concerns.

“The developer can either appeal the decision, can implement the work that they already have permission for, or they can look to redesign the work taking into account the concerns raised by highways regarding the safety of the site."