A local woodcarver has given an old oak tree, removed for safety reasons as part of the A52 Nottingham Junctions scheme to tackle congestion, a new lease of life by creating a picnic bench for St Paul’s Boundary Road Church in West Bridgford.
Using timber from the tree that once stood at the Nottingham Knight roundabout, the woodcarver has created the bench for the church, which is known for its community-focused activities, ensuring the oak continues to have a lasting legacy within the local community.
The tree was removed earlier this year for safety reasons and after investigations found it was not possible to retain it for the expansion of the roundabout and to create a throughabout for the A52.
Initial works began in September to move infrastructure owned by utility companies at the Wheatcroft roundabout, and work will move to Nottingham Knight before main construction on the scheme starts next year.
The much-needed project will see the two roundabouts expanded with a route connecting the A52 created through the centre of the roundabouts created, while traffic signals and pedestrian crossings will also be improved to help increase safety and reduce congestion at the two junctions.
Adam Gallis, Project Manager for National Highways said: “The improvement works on the A52 are not just about upgrading the two junctions, but about having a long-term benefit on the surrounding area and region with reduced congestion and improved safety.
“Creating this bench for St Paul’s means the oak tree can continue to have a lasting and meaningful benefit to the local community. We were always keen to ensure the timber taken from the oak tree wouldn’t go to waste and would be re-purposed for the community to enjoy for many years to come.”
Layla Anderson, Project Manager at St Paul’s Community and Wellbeing Hub said: “We are in a wonderful position to be able to accept this beautiful bench that has been created and we know that this will be a really lovely feature for our community here.
“We have dog walkers that come here every day and I know they will appreciate having this bench to sit on and in the summer, as our community cafe is not very big, it will be a great place to sit out in the sun.”