An update has been issued on the key transformation of a busy Nottingham junction, with council officials warning drivers to brace themselves for yet more disruption. Work began in spring 2024 to turn the large roundabout on Maid Marian Way, which connected the key city centre routes of Derby Road and Lower Parliament Street in Nottingham city centre, into a T-junction.
Nottingham City Council, which is using £8.97 million from the government’s ‘Future High Street Fund’ to fund the project, said the change would make the junction safer for cyclists and pedestrians. However, the new junction resulted in severe delays for motorists and the city’s bus network in October 2024, forcing the city council to apologise and make changes to improve the situation.
The next phase of construction works at the city junction are due to start on Monday, January 6. City officials have warned that these changes may also cause delays for commuters, as they will need to close lanes on Maid Marian Way northbound and a bus stop.
A council spokesperson said: “Works are continuing to progress on Maid Marian Way – thank you for your continued patience. From January 6, 2025, works begin on the kerbs on Maid Marian Way west which will mean there will be lane closures on Maid Marian Way northbound, with some night working and some day working.
“Please allow extra time for your journey if you plan to travel northbound through the junction.” The council representative explained work on Tollhouse Hill’s footpath would also start on the same day, putting the Y7 bus stop out of action for weeks.
They added: “Footpath works on Tollhouse Hill also begin from January 6, 2025, so the bus stop Y7 will be suspended for up to ten weeks. Passengers are asked to use the preceding stop Y5 on Wollaton Street.
While the change to Maid Marian Way’s layout has frustrated city residents, the council previously described the now-demolished roundabout as a challenge for pedestrians and cyclists – with it “acting as a barrier to movement between the city centre, Derby Road and the theatre/Castle area to the west of Maid Marian Way”.
With the junction itself now finished, construction efforts are now being focused on the space surrounding it. A mixture of 41 large native trees – almost four times as many as were removed – will be replanted in the area once the project is complete.
A rain garden, which will be filled with plants that can survive in low-lying, waterlogged conditions, will also be added to limit the impact of flooding. The entirety of the project is expected to be finished by spring 2025.