An ‘unnecessary’ bus plug in Gedling that residents say has caused misery for years is to finally be removed.
The decision to take out the redundant plug on Burton Road was approved on Monday, February 3 by the Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Neil Clarke.
It will see the outdated traffic signals decommissioned and removed, the carriageway widened to allow for two-way traffic and the footway adjusted to maintain safe access for pedestrians and cyclists.
The move comes following persistent lobbying by Nottinghamshire County Councillor Mike Adams, who represents Carlton East and Nottinghamshire County Council Leader, Sam Smith, who also represnts Trent Valley on Gedling Borough Council, that was also backed by a petition signed by hundreds of local residents.
Nottinghamshire County Council has approved the scheme as part of its 2025/26 Integrated Transport Block programme.
The bus plug was originally introduced as part of the historic Colwick Loop Road improvement but became redundant following the opening of the Gedling Access Road (GAR) – now known as Colliery Way.
Since then, the unnecessary traffic lights have only caused additional delays to motorists and increased emissions due to idling vehicles.
Cllr Mike Adams, Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Carlton East, has welcomed the decision.
He said: “We made a commitment to fight for this, and today, we’re delivering on that promise.
“For too long, local people have had to put up with unnecessary congestion, delays, and pollution caused by this outdated system.
“The removal of the bus plug will significantly improve traffic flow, ease congestion, and enhance air quality for the people of Gedling. I’m delighted that, after years of frustration, residents are finally seeing real action.”
Cllr Sam Smith, Borough Councillor for Trent Valley, added: “This is a fantastic result for the hundreds of people who backed our campaign. The petition showed just how strongly local residents felt about this issue and change is happening.
“Removing this bottleneck will make a real difference to daily commutes, school runs, and overall traffic in the area.”
While the bus plug will be removed, the layby next to Carlton le Willows Academy will be retained.
Councillors Smith and Adams added: “This will provide a useful drop off and pick up point for the nearby Carlton le Willows Academy which, as a result, will help to reduce congestion on residential streets.”
The councillors said signage will be installed in the coming months to keep residents informed about the upcoming works.
Very very SAD that more road widening approved. Destroying our country roads and it affects wildlife too. Disgusted.
This was a pre-existing road next to a school that was narrowed and a bus Plug put in then they realise their mistakes so they changed it from a bus Plug to a traffic control narrowing with traffic lights which was completely unfit for purpose. Making it back to how it was previously dual lane Road will decrease traffic emissions decrease congestion increase the safety of the children that are right next to the road for the school.
This has nothing to do with impacting the environment because we’re widening roads. This is positively impacting the environment because there will be less emissions of idling cars right next to a children’s drop-off point too.
Well done boys. This has caused so many problems and finally the hell we feel as motorists will be removed. No idea what the heck Becs above is talking about! Nothing to do with wildlife!!!
good work and wil help people travel around the area and spend there money and get to our arnold easier
Should put in a pedestrian crossing when they reinstate the road.
About time. Now lets the bus plug removed on Stoke Lane.
Hear hear, the Stoke Lane bus plug is completely redundant now the GAR has opened
Were bus companies consulted? The layby that is described is actually a bus stop and turning circle. The school buses use it to turn around. If it is full of cars then how will they do this?
Now remove the redundant camera on stoke lane that only three properties benefit from. And only one local mini bus uses. If that bus is cut then no buses will use it.