Inquiry begins on major A453 plan

Work could begin on the road in 2010

A public inquiry into a controversial project to turn the A453 into a dual carriageway has begun.

Upgrading of the road between junction 24 of the M1 motorway in Leicestershire and Nottingham is currently predicted to cost up to £194m.

More than 30,000 vehicles use the seven-mile stretch of road to travel in and out of Nottingham every day.

Twelve alternative routes have been put forward by objectors to the scheme, which will also be considered.

Among them are three entirely separate routes which would bypass much of the current A453 altogether.

The existing road is a single carriageway linking the M1 to the A52 at Nottingham.

The Highways Agency said the road between Kegworth, Leicestershire, and Clifton, Nottinghamshire, carried up to 32,000 vehicles a day, had a poor safety record and posed maintenance difficulties.

If its scheme does get approved work could start in spring 2010 with a completion date set for the winter of 2012.

The inquiry is expected to last for two to three weeks and is being held in Nottingham.

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Inquiry into £200m road project in East Midlands begins.