A52: Road workers given police protection after threats

Police protection will be given to roadworkers as they make improvements to the A52 in Nottinghamshire.

Repair work on the surface of the road between Radcliffe on Trent and Stragglethorpe is set to start in March.

Work was due to begin sooner, but National Highways staff were threatened last autumn during preparation works.

Nottinghamshire Police say the abuse will not be tolerated and officers will protect the workers.

A 40mph reduced speed limit remains in place, with work to patch the carriageway, repair barriers and make street lights more efficient set to begin.

The work is expected to be carried out overnight for 15 nights, National Highways said.

The authority asked the public for their patience as they look to deliver the improvements "as safely as possible".

Programme development manager Ian Doust said: "They are there to keep the public safe by maintaining our roads and it is unacceptable that they be harassed or threatened as they do so.

"We are working closely with Nottinghamshire Police, local MP Ruth Edwards and our supply chain to plan the much-needed maintenance and renewal works on the A52 at Radcliffe on Trent with a police presence to support the safety of our workforce."

Nottinghamshire Police said it would "robustly" investigate every incident that is reported in relation to the works.

A spokesperson said: "Officers will be monitoring the site of the planned works and should any incidents occur, we will take the necessary enforcement action to send out a clear message that such behaviour on Nottinghamshire's roads will not be tolerated."

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