Activity has now begun to happen on all routes of the much anticipated Melton Bypass as advance works get underway before main construction of the relief road begins.
In preparation for the start of the main scheme works, advance works have now started which include fencing, surveys, archaeology, site clearance and the setting-up of site compounds.
This is happening ahead of confirmation of funding from the Department for Transport, which is expected in late February. Once the funding has been confirmed, the main scheme of works are due to begin early April 2023.
The advance work is being carried out ahead of main construction of the distributor road, which is likely to start in April this year, subject to Department for Transport approval of the full business case submitted by the county council and which it hopes will be approved in the next few weeks.
Advanced works begin on Saxby Road near to the junction of Lag Lane in Melton. Photo: NEMM
The Department For Transport (DfT) agreed to contribute £49.5m, but the cost of the scheme has doubled since it was first costed five years ago, due to soaring inflation and construction costs. Leicestershire County Council is continuing to talk to the DfT about how cost pressures are impacting on major schemes and pressing for a new funding model. Back in December, Cabinet members approved the county council’s funding contribution of around £51m to the scheme as it still represents value for money.
Works have begun on Thorpe Road just outside of Thorpe Arnold. Photo: NEMM
The road is expected to open to traffic in summer 2025.
Councillor Ozzy O'Shea, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: "From time to time, there will be manned, temporary traffic lights to allow construction vehicles to safely access the site. However, we expect any disruption to be very minimal at this advance stage. I want to thank everyone in advance for bearing with us.
Works are underway on the Nottingham Road site of the bypass too. Photo: NEMM
The road will relieve congestion in Melton Mowbray and support plans for housing and employment growth in the town. It will run to the north and east of Melton, starting on the A606 Nottingham Road to the north before re-joining the A606 Burton Road to the south of the town.
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