Statement of Case August 2011 - UK.COM

A46 Newark to Widmerpool Improvement -Supplementary Orders
Statement of Case August 2011
1 Introduction
1.1 The A46 is an important regional trunk road connecting the East and West
Midlands. The A46 Newark to Widmerpool Improvement Scheme (“the Scheme”) is
the provision of a new 28km long two-lane dual carriageway from the A606 two
level junction at Widmerpool to an improved roundabout at Farndon, just south of
Newark. These improvements will reduce congestion, improve safety, and provide a
bypass for East Stoke and Farndon.
1.2 A Public Inquiry into the draft Orders for the Scheme (published January 2007) was
held in the summer of 2007.
1.3 The Secretaries of State for Transport and Communities and Local Government
(“the Secretaries of State”) announced their decision on 19 December 2008
(SD011) to make the Orders needed for the Scheme following acceptance of the
Inquiry Inspector’s recommendations (SD010).
1.4 The Orders for the Scheme were made on 31 January 2009. Advanced construction
works commenced in February 2009. This consisted of vegetation clearance prior
to the bird nesting season, fencing work, archaeology surveys and other
environmental mitigation. And main construction activities commenced on 14 July
2009.
1.5 As a result of the Secretaries of States’ decision and the Inspector’s
recommendations the Highways Agency (“the Agency”) considered a number of
outstanding design issues with respect to the Scheme, and it also identified some
minor amendments to the Orders which required to be made. These changes
resulted in the need for the publication of draft Supplementary Orders on 24 April
2009 (“the 2009 draft Supplementary Orders”).
1.6 A number of objections and representations in respect of the 2009 draft
Supplementary Orders were received. These were considered at a Public Inquiry
held between January and April 2010.
1.7 The Secretaries of State for Transport and for Communities and Local Government
announced their decision to make the Supplementary Orders on 27 July 2010 and
the Orders were made on 15 October 2010 (“the 2010 Supplementary Orders”).
1.8 In consequence of a number of small inconsistencies identified in the 2009 made
Orders together with unresolved issues relating to proposals for a revised access
for landowners at Farndon, Nottinghamshire, further minor amendments have been
identified.
1.9 These amendments reflect the outcome of a meeting before an Independent
Mediator, attended by Geoff Bethel, Highways Agency, Tony Nwanodi, Treasury
Solicitor, Lisa Busch, Highways Agency Counsel, Ian Wildgoose, URS Scott Wilson
and Mr A Morris (PA Freight Ltd) and their lawyers on the 7 th February 2011.
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