The MP for Newark has put up signs next to the A46 past the town criticising the expected decision to scrap a project which would have seen it turned into a dual carriageway.

Although no official decision has been announced, it is widely believed the 6.6km (4 mile) scheme will be dropped as part of £800 million of cuts to the transport budget which will go instead to fund defence. The fact that a contract between National Highways and Skanska for work on it has been cancelled adds to that believe.

Local Reform MP Robert Jenrick has launched a petition against the decision, posting on Facebook that he is “furious at the way local people have been ignored by the Government” because “this is a crucial project for Newark and the local area – but it’s been thrown into disarray”.

The Nottingham Post reports Mr Jenrick has dared planning officials to “knock on his door” over road signs he has put up without permission, quoting Mr Jenrick as saying “We’re asking for forgiveness, not permission, on this occasion.

“If National Highways want to come and knock on my door, then they can do, because they haven’t even had the courtesy to contact me since they cancelled this road, so they are not in my good books.

“I’m putting them on notice that they have wasted tens of millions of pounds progressing this scheme so far. Nothing has happened – it’s not good enough.”

Mr Jenrick says the Government have gone silent and won’t even answer my questions in parliament. “Its not good enough. I will not allow the concerns of my constituents to be brushed aside,” he posted saying he wants to present a petition he has launched to the Department for Transport and Downing Street “to show the strength of feeling locally”.

The project was to have seen the A46 widened to provide two lanes in each direction between Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts near Newark-on-Trent. It received its Development Consent Order on 1 October 2025.

(Picture – Robert Jenrick’s X account)