Bypass Go-Ahead Secured!

The construction of a completed western bypass will go ahead after Mayor Dave Hodgson announced that the Council has successfully overcome the array of obstacles blocking the crucial project. The Council is now issuing tender documents and building work is expected to start as soon as September.

A complete Bedford Western Bypass has featured in local and national plans for over 50 years. The project to construct the long-awaited crucial final section was propelled forward following the decision by the Mayor to issue Compulsory Purchase Orders to acquire the land needed for the road, alongside work to seek the land and rights required by agreement. The Council has now reached agreement will all the principal landowners and all objections to the Orders have now been withdrawn.

The final section of the bypass will join the A4280 at Bromham with the A6 at Clapham, completing a link from north to south without the need for traffic to pass through Bedford town centre, reducing congestion in Bedford as well as creating new opportunities for jobs and investment.

Lib Dem Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "We are delighted to be making this crucial project a reality. Funding is in place and the detailed, extensive and ultimately successful negotiations with the various parties affected are now complete.

"It is superb news for our road network, for the local economy and for local quality of life that we can now get on and build this road. A completed bypass will reduce congestion in Bedford, cut journey times and help unlock new investment and jobs."

The Council is inviting tenders from contractors to build the road. Construction of the road will start later this year and open in 2016.