The next stage in a massive investment by Nottingham City Council to support economic growth will see work start on more transport improvements in the city’s Creative Quarter on Sunday (14 June).
This latest part of the city’s multi-million pound infrastructure upgrade involves improvements for pedestrians and renewed road surfaces at the junction of Manvers Street and Pennyfoot Street.
During the works, the existing traffic signals will be removed and Newark Street will be closed, with diversions via Lower Eldon Street. Traffic will also be unable to turn right from Pennyfoot Street into Manvers Street. The works and the temporary traffic restrictions are expected to last for 14 weeks.
There will also be changes to some bus routes that use Pennyfoot Street on journeys from the City. NCT Red Routes 44/44A and N100 will be diverted around Southwell Road, Sneinton Road, Eyre Street and Manvers Street. Citylink 2 will follow the normal route to Canal Street but will then divert around London Road, Cattle Market Road, County Road, and Meadow Lane to resume the normal route at Daleside Road roundabout. The stop on Pennyfoot Street for these services is withdrawn. The inbound routes will not be affected.
The improvement work is partly financed by the council itself and partly by money which the council secured from the European Regional Development Fund.
Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Growth, Jobs and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “The Creative Quarter is Nottingham’s flagship project for economic growth, encouraging and supporting Nottingham’s home-grown businesses whilst attracting new high-tech, high-growth industries which will become part of the fabric of Nottingham’s economy, providing good jobs and generating wealth.
“The improvements are bound to cause some delays and disruption over the coming weeks but we would ask local residents and businesses for their patience during the short-term pain as many of them may benefit from the long-term gain. We will do all we can to minimise disruption and apologise for any inconvenience the works may cause.
“In addition to the economic benefits, the latest improvements will make it much easier and safer for pedestrians to cross this busy junction – particularly important in the light of the redevelopment of Sneinton Market and investment in BioCity.”
The Creative Quarter encompasses the Lace Market and Hockley as well as Sneinton Market and the Island Site. Many of Nottingham’s emerging growth sector businesses are already located there, and new creative businesses are being encouraged to join them to help entrepreneurship to flourish within the heart of the city centre. Works at the former Sneinton Wholesale Market continues its transformation into a zone for new creative workshops, studios and enterprises.
Cherry Underwood, Trust Executive of the Renewal Trust and a Creative Quarter board member, is very positive about the ultimate aim of these improvements, commenting: “The Creative Quarter is committed to ensuring the vibrant local communities of St Ann’s and Sneinton are fully connected with the CQ and the wider city centre.
“These pedestrian crossings at key junctions should enable more people to enjoy the lively open market at Sneinton Square as well as daytime shopping and entertainment in Hockley, the Lace Market and the City Centre. It all contributes to making bridges and gateways into the Creative Quarter for local people.”
Transport and public realm improvements already completed in the area include changes to accommodate outdoor summer dining areas, new and upgraded paving and kerbing in the Lace Market area and a refurbished Trinity Square with better paving, seating and lighting. With recent improvements too for pedestrians at the Southwell Road/ Carlton Road junction, footfall in the area is steadily increasing.
While the latest works continue, all road users who use this junction are asked to consider alternative routes or follow the diversion routes which will be signposted.