In 2007 we asked for your help to shape a better future for travel and transport in and around Sutton, Skegby, New Cross, Stanton Hill, Dalestorth and Huthwaite. As the number of cars on the roads increases so too does the strain on the existing road network. Nottinghamshire County Council is working towards solving this problem and getting people from A to B safely and easily.

As part of our Local Transport Plan undertook a transport study, which looked at ways to give people more travel choices in Sutton and the surrounding area. In other words we looked at how we can help make walking, cycling and travel by bus and train easier to help take pressure off our roads. We also looked at ways we could make the most of our existing roads to try to reduce queues and delays.

Building on the Sutton Masterplan

The Masterplans for Sutton and Kirkby provided a strong base for commencing the study. The plans were subject to wide public consultation and identified several transport priorities for Sutton, including:

• Reconnect and strengthen links within and across the centre
• Improve linkages to open space
• Improve cycling and pedestrian routes
• Improve access for less able
• Improve the bus station area.

We’re pleased to announce that a number of the priority projects identified in the Sutton Masterplan have already been delivered in partnership with Ashfield District Council and the Alliance SSP. These schemes include:

• Improvements to the Pelican crossing at Portland Square / Outram Street
• Removing barriers to movement – locations include the health centre and market square
• High Pavement Gateway, including improvements for pedestrian crossing movements.

Schemes identified through the transport study

As local stakeholders you are best placed to tell us about the transport improvements needed in your town.  We were able to collate and review your responses from the study to identify a range of schemes to deliver, which would help address your concerns and improve travel and transport around Sutton.

• High Pavement to Health Centre – a new signalised pedestrian crossing to improve access to the health centre and the route into town.
• Bus Station / Forest Street to Portland Square -  a significant improvement scheme for the Forest Street / Portland Square area, to reduce conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.  It aimed to make the area more accessible to essential users, such as pedestrians, disabled drivers, taxis and loading vehicles and remove non-essential traffic.
• Priestic Road pedestrian crossing near Asda – This crossing has been the source of complaints from pedestrians over drivers failing to stop.  The lights and footway have been redesigned to offer improved visibility to address this.
• Footpath off Spring Road - Improvement to a 200m stretch of footpath which leads off from Spring Road, going through Red Barn Way housing estate towards Orchard Way Industrial Est.  This now provides a high quality link between residential areas, employment centres and the town centre.
• Huthwaite / Sutton Road - On-carriageway markings to reduce vehicle speeds.
• Cycle parking will be provided as part of both the bus station and the Forest St. / Portland Square proposals.  
• Sutton Bus Station – improved, safer waiting facilities with better bus timetable information.
• More money for dropped kerbs to assist wheelchair, mobility scooter users and others to cross the road.
• Additional disabled parking were provided as part of the Forest St. / Portland Square proposals