9 March
Work will start next Monday 14 March on a nine-week programme to upgrade the junction of Alfreton Road and Gregory Boulevard.
As part of the works, the signals will be replaced and software upgraded to make the junction work better for buses. The pedestrian crossing will also be improved, using the latest technology to make travel more efficient.
Nottingham has one of the best bus networks in the country. However, like other road users buses have to battle bad weather, traffic, roadworks and other issues that can slow down journeys and lead to delays.
Using Transforming Cities funding from the Department for Transport the council is working to create smarter, more reliable routes for public transport. The smart junctions ‘know’ the bus timetables so if a bus is running perfectly to time, they stick to the normal pattern of timings. However, if a bus is running late the traffic lights will automatically change and amend the timings at the junction to prioritise the bus to help them get back on time.
Councillor Rosemary Healy, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport said, “We’re really proud of our buses in Nottingham but we want to make them even better. The upgraded signals will ‘go green’ for buses to help public transport beat the traffic. Work has already taken place on Nuthall Road, Mansfield Road and Ilkeston Road to upgrade signals for buses, and now we are moving onto Alfreton Road to help make the Turquoise line and Rainbow one more reliable and efficient.
“During the upgrades we are working to minimise disruption. Lane closures will only take place outside of peak times, and our traffic control centre will monitor the temporary traffic lights to keep traffic moving.”
During the works temporary traffic signals will be in operation, monitored by the council’s traffic control centre to help keep traffic moving. Lane closures – when required – will be limited to off peak hours 9.30am to 3pm.
This project is part of Nottingham and Derby’s Transforming Cities programme. Working in partnership, Nottingham City and Derby City Councils secured £161 million from the Department for Transport to invest in local transport infrastructure that will improve sustainable transport, support growth, and encourage more low carbon journeys.
