More than £1.3m will be invested in delivering walking and cycling improvements in Nottingham, thanks to the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). The project has now been approved and work will begin from August 2026.
Improvements will be delivered along Gregory Boulevard between the A60 Mansfield Road and Noel Street. This will include:
- adding 850 metres of segregated cycle path
- resurfacing the road and footpaths
- upgrading crossings and adding an additional signalised pedestrian and cyclist crossing
- planting to help manage surface water and create habitat for wildlife
There are four phases of work:
- Phase 1 – new crossing – Summer 2026
- Phase 2 – northern footway improvements – Autumn/Winter 2026/27
- Phase 3 – southern cycle path construction – Spring/Summer 2027
- Phase 4 – road resurfacing – Spring/Summer 2028 – we need to leave a gap between the completion of our project and resurfacing as this needs to take place during the drier months
The scheme will enhance the safety and accessibility of cycle routes and footpaths, encouraging more people to walk, wheel, and cycle locally and using this corridor to cross the city.
As part of the project, resurfacing work will also be carried out on the road, reducing the need for future disruption by combining improvements into the construction. Upgraded crossings will make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate the area, while footpaths will be improved to provide a more comfortable and accessible experience.
Click here to open a pdf of Plan 1.
Click here to open a pdf of Plan 2.
The scheme will also fill a gap in our wider cycle network, providing a flat safe route and opening up better opportunities for walking and cycling along to the Boulevards, the city centre and Sherwood, connecting with existing facilities such as:
- Education: Djanogly City Academy and better connections to Bluecoat Trent Academy, Nottingham High School and Nottingham Trent University
- Parks and open spaces: Forest Recreation Ground and Arboretum
- Leisure facilities: The Forest Sport Zone and Djanogly Community Leisure Centre
- Transport: The Forest Park & Ride
The scheme complements plans to improve facilities at The Forest Sport Zone, which opened in 2015. The £2.6m project to transform pitches and buildings at the venue was granted approval in June 2025. The proposed improvements along Gregory Boulevard will facilitate pedestrian and cycle access to the facility.
Complementary road safety improvements for Lenton Boulevard and Lenton Boulevard / Derby road junctions are planned for 2027.
Latest Updates
A consultation was carried out in May/June 2026 with more than two thirds (69%) of respondents indicating they were supportive of the proposals, less than a third of respondents were unsupportive (27%). You can see more detail on the consultation results here.
A separate Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to support the revised road layout by ensuring the carriageway remains clear and prevent parking on the new cycle track was also consulted on during May/June 2026. All representations received have been considered with no unresolved objections.
Nottingham City Council can now confirm that the project will go ahead. We’ll start work later this month (July 2026) with a construction programme scheduled to last approximately 13-months, ending in late summer 2027 ahead of Goose Fair at the end of September.
We’ve planned our works around Goose Fair which takes place on the Forest Recreation Ground each autumn and to take advantage of the summer holidays when traffic levels are lower, helping to minimise any disruption caused.
There are four phases of work:
- Phase 1 – new crossing – Summer 2026
- Phase 2 – northern footway improvements – Autumn/Winter 2026/27
- Phase 3 – southern cycle path construction – Spring/Summer 2027
- Phase 4 – road resurfacing – Spring/Summer 2028 – we need to leave a gap between the completion of our project and resurfacing as this needs to take place during the drier months
Questions and answers
Will there be temporary footpath closures?
There will need to be some as part of this project – diversions will always be provided and clearly signed.
What impact will this project have on parking?
Temporary parking restrictions will be introduced where necessary along Gregory Boulevard. Alternative parking options will remain available nearby.
Will there be temporary traffic lights?
Temporary traffic signals will be required at certain stages of the works. Any changes to the road layout will be clearly signed.
Will there be road closures?
Side roads at their junctions with Gregory Boulevard will need to close for short periods. Only one side road junction will be closed at any one time, and clearly signed diversion routes will be provided.
What days and hours will work be going on?
Our working hours will typically be 7.30am-4pm on weekdays and 8.30am-1pm on Saturdays. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and will do everything possible to keep disruption to a minimum.
