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

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.

Latest Updates

October 2026

Works have now restarted following the pause for Goose Fair.

September 2026

• Since work began at the end of July, this project has progressed well which has enabled disruptive works at the bottom of Sherwood Rise to be brought forward so it could take place during the summer holidays when the nearby schools were closed and traffic levels lower. Work has now stopped ahead of Goose Fair and are due to begin again after the fair ends on Sunday 4 October.
• Two temporary pedestrian crossings are operating to accommodate pedestrian movements at the Sherwood Rise roundabout. One temporary pedestrian crossing is operating across the southern end of Sherwood Rise, in place of the Zebra crossing which is being upgraded to a parallel crossing that combines a traditional pedestrian zebra crossing with a separate, adjacent lane marked for cyclists.
• Another temporary pedestrian crossing is operating across the eastern end of Gregory Boulevard at the location of the new Toucan crossing, a signalised crossing for shared pedestrian and cyclist use. We expect these crossings to come into operation after Goose Fair and will update here when that happens. The top surface for the footpath/shared use paths will be put down once the works to the crossings have been completed.

August 2026

We’ve rejigged our plan of works somewhat, in order to get most of the work on Sherwood Rise done before schools return. As a result, Sherwood Rise (heading into the city) is closed this week (w/c 24 August) and Sherwood Rise (heading out of the city) will be closed next week (w/c 31 August).

July 2026

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. Work began in 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.

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 planned 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.

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.

Will any trees be removed?

As part of this project, we are removing one tree which is immediately west of the park and ride entrance. This tree obstructs visibility to those entering and exiting the P&R site, a safety issue which will become more risky once the cycle lane is there. It’s removal was consulted on earlier this year. It will be replaced with another tree at a more suitable location.