Representation by Newark Rugby Union Football Club (Newark Rugby Union Football Club)
- Date submitted
- 12 July 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Newark Rugby Club is a large, long- established (105 years) and thriving community sports club located on the A617, Kelham Road, some 400 metres from the Cattle Market roundabout on the A46 (T) Newark By-pass. Its Senior Men’s team competes at Rugby Football Union (RFU) Level 6 and it regularly runs 3 Senior Men's teams and 1 Senior Women’s team with an adult membership of 150. Its Mini & Youth section is very successful, providing rugby to boys and girls from the age of 5 to 18 with a membership of 500. Many of its ‘Colts’ - 17/18 age grade - are integrated into the Senior club sides. It runs an extensive Schools Programme providing an introduction to rugby for pupils of non-rugby-playing schools in the area, accommodating over 600 school children in 2023/24, many of whom went on to join the Club. It is recognised as the premier sports club in the Newark area and possesses some of the best rugby facilities in the region which are, therefore, used regularly by RFU Constituent Bodies for competitions and matches and by visiting and touring rugby teams, as well as for indoor and outdoor non-sporting events. It is, accordingly, a major local venue, the high level of use of which reflects its strategic accessibility and the quality of its facilities. The Club strongly supports the proposed A46(T) Newark By-pass upgrade for a number of reasons. Thus, the overall improvement of the Road, and particularly the grade-separation of the Cattle Market Roundabout (CMR) will: • Reduce congestion and improve journey times including for those visiting the Club who are frequently delayed and inconvenienced by that congestion. This adverse impact is not only confined to the A46 itself, but also by queuing on feeder/approach roads such as Kelham Road (A617) and Great North Road (B6326 and A616); • Improve safe, convenient and commodious access by all modes, including non-car modes, to the Club from the local highway network, allowing visitors to maximise sustainable active travel modes, particularly walking and cycling. In its current condition the A46 is a major barrier between Newark Town and the Club, especially for pedestrians and cyclists attempting to cross it. Grade separation of the CM, by removing through-traffic from the Roundabout will allow improved, safer crossing facilities. Notwithstanding the above, bearing in mind that the Club is located in the floodplain of the River Trent (Flood Zone 3), it seeks assurances from National Highways that the flood impact of the new Road will be fully mitigated, and preferably reduced, in terms of the frequency and severity of flooding events affecting the Club.