The new £500m bypass that could end traffic chaos between UK motorway and major A-road

has invested a significant amount to make major roads across the UK "more dependable, durable, and most importantly, safe," and as part of it, the Newark Bypass will be undergoing an upgrade to help reduce traffic congestion in affected areas.

The route which currently connects the M1 and Leicester to the A1 and central will see construction work that will result in the bypass widening 6.5km of the existing single carriageway to the dual carriageway. The work will result in the route boasting two lanes in each direction, going between Farndon and Withorpe roundabouts near Newark-on-Trent. The project which started in 2024 has been scheduled to be completed by 2030.

Improving the safety through a careful design that will aim to reduce collisions for all users of the A46 is one of the main objectives of the project. The new bypass will also better the journey time for the 17,000 drivers that use it daily and the reliability time along the A46 and its junctions between Fardon and Winthorpe.

Additionally, the £500 million investment will contribute to economic growth in Newark-on-Trent, and the surrounding areas, by enhancing its strategic, and boosting local connectivity. Noise levels along the road will also be targeted as part of the scheme. Vulnerable roads users, cyclists, and walkers will see the route upgraded to provide better facilities for them, according to project bosses.

In the latest update, National Highways said the examination phase of the Development Consent Order (DCO) ended Tuesday, April 8, 2025 and now the Examiing Authority (ExA) will begin preperaring their report and recommendations to submit to the Secretary of State (SoS) for Transport.

A final decisions on the DCO is expected to be announced in October of this year.

The company also revealed it will begin "advanced works" in the next month, involving "survey and field work to support the collection of ecology and archaelogy data."

The website added: "These activities, which will take place along the breadth of the scheme, are separate to the construction of the road and can take place now ahead of the SoS [ Secretary of State] decision."