A52 Nottingham corridor
The A52 is an important route through the heart of the East Midlands. We’re investing in improvements that will make this route faster, safer and more reliable for people and businesses.
Where we're working in Nottingham
Here are our A52 improvements in and around Nottingham.
How we'll work
To work safely, we’ll need a mixture of lane and road closures. We'll also need some weekend closures.
We'll work at the least busy times of the day or week to minimise disruption.
We'll mainly work in the daytime, but we may need to work overnight when traffic volumes are at their lowest.
We’ll provide closure and diversion route information on this page.
A52 LED Surveys between Spondon and Barrowby - 30 June 2025 to mid-October 2025
We'll be carrying out surveys as part of our plans to upgrade the roadside lighting to LEDs on the A52 between Spondon and Barrowby. The new LED lighting will be more energy efficient and require less maintenance in the future.
For more information, visit our Midlands LED roadside lighting upgrades webpage.
A52 Priory to QMC road improvement and cycleway - 19 May to spring 2026
Closures and traffic management
We'll use different traffic management phases as we work.
From 6am on Tuesday 20 January, the A52 will revert back to a 24/7 one-way system for eastbound traffic between Priory and QMC roundabouts, so we can complete work on the shared footway and cycleway.
All westbound bus stops will be suspended, whilst for eastbound buses temporary bus stops will be placed at the Priory roundabout and also near the QMC roundabout.
Closures
Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 January 2026
Most of the QMC roundabout will be closed overnight (8pm to 6am) for resurfacing.
Road users can still:
- exit the A6514 Middleton Boulevard southbound to the A6200 Derby Road eastbound (towards Nottingham)
- travel west on the A6200 Derby Road to join the A52 Clifton Boulevard southbound
There will be no access to QMC from Cripps Hill or North Road.
The A52 between Priory and QMC roundabouts will also be closed.
Monday 12 to Friday 16 January 2026
Most of the roundabout will be closed overnight (8pm to 6am) for resurfacing.
Road users can still:
- exit the A52 Derby Road eastbound on to the A6514 Middleton Boulevard northbound
- access the A52 Derby Road westbound from the A52 Clifton Boulevard northbound
Access to QMC is only via the southern entrance (Abbey St/A6005) to the east of Dunkirk Island.
Monday 19 January to Friday 23 January 2026
- A52 closed in both directions between Priory and QMC roundabouts overnight (8pm to 6am) for safety fence installation
Diversions
During closures of the A52 westbound between the QMC and Priory roundabouts follow our westbound diversion route.
During eastbound closures, follow the same route in the opposite direction.
To access QMC from Cripps Hill or North Road, take:
- A52 Clifton Boulevard to Dunkirk island
- Abbey Street
- Harvey Road/West Road next to Car Park 3
- then head east on to North Road
For all other journeys during the QMC roundabout closures follow our signed diversions, most of which use the local road network.
We also issue a weekly traffic bulletin giving a two week forward look for works along the A52 in Nottingham. To subscribe please email: noreplyA52emids@nationalhighways.co.uk.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
Background
The A52 between Priory roundabout and QMC roundabout is coming to the end of its serviceable life. We’re carrying out work to resurface the road, upgrade drainage and improve lighting.
The route has also experienced a number of personal injury collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. We’re building a combined cycleway and footway on the eastbound side of the A52 to create a safer and more accessible route for all.
Work started on this major upgrade on Monday 19 May 2025 and is due to be complete in spring 2026.
Our improvements include resurfacing the A52 Derby Road between the Priory roundabout and the Queen's Medical Centre roundabout (including both roundabouts), and revised road markings.
We’ll also reconfigure the existing eastbound footway to make space for a combined cycleway and pedestrian footway on the northern side of the A52. To do this we’ll narrow the A52 carriageway without reducing capacity. Vehicles will still be able to get past stopped buses, and ambulances and other emergency services will still be able to utilise the middle of the carriageway.
Other improvements include:
- refurbishing the drainage and footway kerbs along the A52 Derby Road
- diverting utilities as part of the realigned combined cycleway / footway
- installing new lighting masts and associated ducting and cabinets
- upgrading the existing pedestrian lighting-controlled crossings
- replacement of all carriageway and footway signs
- landscaping the earthworks and other environmental elements any remaining verges will be set back to grass, while the Grade 2 Listed heritage wall belonging to Wollaton Hall will be protected whilst the work is done
- moving the current bus stop locations to align with the new A52 layout
A52 Nottingham junctions (Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft junctions)
On 13 November 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the confirmation of our Compulsory Purchase Order (as modified) and Side Roads Order (as modified).
The announcement follows a Public Inquiry held in July 2025. It enables us to begin work on the A52 Nottingham Junctions scheme.
For more information, visit our A52 Nottingham junctions web page.
A52 Clifton Bridge lighting renewals - 4 to 18 December 2025
Work
We're installing high masts and renewing lighting on the A52 Clifton Bridge.
Closures
The following closures will be in place, Mondays to Fridays, from 8pm to 6am, apart from Friday 5 December:
- A52 Clifton to Queens Drive - westbound full closure
- A52 eastbound - lane closures
- A52 Queens Drive eastbound - closed between exit and entry slip roads with lane closures on either the entry or exit slip roads or both
- A453 Clifton to Silverdale - carriageway closed in both directions
Diversions
A52 heading to A453 eastbound closure
A52 heading westbound from A453
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
Project information
Overview
Running east-west across five counties, the A52 is an important route through the heart of the East Midlands. It is a vital connection for those who live and work in the region.
What we're doing in Nottingham
The A52 in Nottingham provides easy links to a wide range of essential services, attractions, and landmarks. It’s one of the city’s key arterial roads, ensuring direct access to major destinations across the East Midlands and beyond.
It serves as a catalyst for economic growth, supporting businesses by providing essential connections to key routes such as the A1 and M1.
These connections are crucial to the smooth and swift movement of goods and services. They enable businesses to connect with their customers more effectively.
With traffic volumes predicted to grow over the coming years, we’re investing millions of pounds in the area to:
- relieve congestion and smooth traffic flow
- improve safety and journey times
- encourage healthy and sustainable travel
- improve access to key businesses and locations
Once complete, our improvements will foster growth and development by:
- making locations more accessible and attractive for investment
- generating employment and residential development opportunities
Utility companies
Utility companies (gas, water, electricity and suchlike) often work on roads we manage. Where possible, we try to coordinate our roadworks with them to minimise disruption to motorists.
Sometimes we can't do this. For example, utility companies don't have to give advance notice when responding to emergencies (like burst water mains or gas leaks).
This means we can't always warn people about potential disruption before utility companies start working.
Utility companies are wholly responsible for telling people (like residents, motorists and local communities) about the impact of their works.
To find out who's responsible for roadworks in your area, visit one.network.
Benefits
Once complete, our improvements will foster growth and development.
They'll make locations more accessible and attractive for investment.
This will generate employment and residential development opportunities.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.Sign up for updates!
Keep up to date with what's happening on this scheme by signing up to our updates.
