August marked a major milestone in the £100m Southern Link Road programme, with the opening of the new middle section between Bowbridge Lane and Hawton Road. This significant investment is backed by a powerful blend of public and private funding, including £20 million from central government and £65 million from Urban&Civic. The funding has been secured through strong collaboration across local and national partners, underlining the strategic importance of the road for Newark’s long-term economic future.
The Southern Link Road is a transformative 5km route connecting the A1 and A46 across the south of Newark, running alongside our Middlebeck development. More than just a piece of infrastructure, the road is a catalyst for growth - enabling the next phases of Middlebeck, unlocking much-needed new homes, and strengthening Newark’s position as a place to live, work and invest.
For the town, the benefits are significant. The new connection is designed to ease congestion, improve journey times, and support long-term economic growth by making Newark better connected and more attractive to businesses and residents alike.
Delivery is progressing at pace. The most easterly section opened in autumn 2024, introducing a new roundabout next to the A1 Welcome Break services and a direct link into Middlebeck. The final phase is now under construction, with a new roundabout being built on the A46 to tie directly into the Southern Link Road. Delivered by Breheny – in their largest ever contract – and stewarded by our project management team, this last stage remains on track to open by September next year.
Middlebeck Way is more than just a road. It is a key piece of Newark’s evolution and a defining feature of the Middlebeck community – literally putting it on the map.
I think it's a great idea. When we first moved in this hadn't been done completely yet and a lot of the traffic through Newark itself was pretty congested but opening up will make a massive difference for access to the A46 and for people using that road. I'm really eager for it to be opened up and ease that congestion.
Ben Asser,
Middlebeck Resident
[The project] is something that can benefit the whole town of Newark.
It should help with the connectivity of the south of Newark, it will ease congestion - which I know has been a problem, particularly in the centre - and it will make it easier for people to live and work here.
I think a lot of people are looking forward to it opening and that final link being in place.
Mark Redding,
Communications and partnerships manager, Urban&Civic
This is a huge milestone and is the latest project to help Newark on the pathway to an exciting and ambitious future.
The Link Road unlocks not only new homes at the growing Middlebeck community but also a new country park, sports facilities, contributions towards enhanced healthcare, expanded public transport, and up to 2 million square feet of new employment land.
Matt Lamb,
Director of Planning and Growth at Newark and Sherwood District Council
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