A611 Bus Priority Measures
Background
The A611 is one of the main routes for traffic between North Nottinghamshire and Nottingham. Its close proximity to junction 27 of the M1 also means that the road is very busy during peak times, with buses in particular experiencing delays. Over 22000 vehicles use the A611 every day.
Current problems along the A611 include:
- Traffic, and buses in particular, have difficulty getting onto Derby Road (A611) from the Shoulder of Mutton Hill (B6021) and Annesley Cutting;
- Major queues of southbound traffic approaching the A611 Badger Box junction traffic lights from the Shoulder of Mutton Hill junction;
- Major queues of northbound traffic approaching the A611 Badger Box junction traffic lights past the Annesley Cutting junction;
- Buses sometimes have difficulty pulling out of bus laybys on the A611.
Additionally, in the past five years there have been 2 fatalities and 13 serious injuries at the junctions of the proposed scheme.
To tackle these traffic congestion problems, and to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, we are carrying out improvements to three of the junctions along the A611.
The project will be funded by the County Council’s award-winning Local Transport Plan – the blueprint for better travel and transport in Notts.
What will the scheme involve?
The £1 million scheme involves improvements to three junctions along the A611 and widening two sections of the road to help buses and other motorists travel more easily. The improvements are to be carried out in three phases as follows:
- Phase 1 (2003-04): New traffic lights at the A611 / Shoulder of Mutton Hill junction. A new left hand turn lane for northbound traffic into Shoulder of Mutton Hill; This was completed in September 2004
- Phase 2 (2004-05): Alterations to the existing A611 / Badger Box traffic lights. New traffic lights at the A611 / Annesley Cutting junction. Widening this section of road to provide two lanes in each direction; Currently undergoing detailed design with a view to being implemented in 2005-06
- Phase 3 (2005-06): Widening a section of road to provide a bus lane along Shoulder of Mutton Hill with access to the A611. The need for this phase is to be reviewed following the completion of Phase 2.
The improvements will be designed to give priority to buses and improve public transport travel times. New improvements for pedestrians and cyclists will also be included, which will complement the new toucan crossing on the A611 south of Midfield Road. A much safer environment will be created.
What will the benefits be?
- Reduced traffic congestion and queues for all road users on the A611 and its junctions;
- Faster bus journey times and better reliability for bus services, which will make public transport a more attractive travel choice;
- New footpaths with a cycleway will benefit cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable users;
- Improved safety measures for all road users will help to reduce accidents.
What other options were considered?
Major bus lanes: in this particular location do not reduce travel time and adversely affect the residential environment.
Mini roundabout at the A611 / Shoulder of Mutton junction: although this option would help to make it easier for traffic pulling onto the A611, it would make traffic and congestion much worse along the A611.
Mini-roundabout at the A611 / Annesley Cutting junction: although this option would help to make it easier for traffic pulling onto the A611, it would make traffic and congestion much worse along the A611. This option would also involve buying more private land, increasing the cost of the project.
Further information
Two exhibitions were held at the Annesley Miners Welfare Club on the 17th and 19th of September 2003.
See the latest news and feedback from the exhibiton
Click on the following link to view a PDF of the information that was produced for these exhibitions including a map of the scheme [PDF 304KB] 
For general information about the scheme please contact us at e-mail: transport.strategy@nottscc.gov.uk
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