Bypass Progress: Crucial New Road for Bedford Taking Shape Rapidly After 50-year Wait

Following Mayor Dave Hodgson's success last year in breaking down a series of barriers blocking progress to the construction of the final section of the Western bypass, new aerial photos have revealed the extent of the rapid progress of the project.

After Mayor Dave launched Compulsory Purchase Order proceedings which resulted in a successful conslusion last year following extensive negotiations with a wide range of interested parties, construction on this crucial new road for Bedford began in the autumn.

The bypass, which will be completed and opened in 2016, links the A4280 at Biddenham with the A6 at the Clapham roundabout, and will complete a north-south route bypassing Bedford over fifty years since it began appearing in local and national plans and strategies.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "We are delighted the project is progressing so well, which is excellent news for our road network, the local economy and for local quality of

life.

The completed bypass will reduce congestion in and around Bedford and cut journey times, while making this location even more attractive to investors."

The first key milestone in the construction is the completion of the two western-most roundabouts on the route, and this is scheduled to be achieved by 19th May together with resurfacing of the section of Bromham Road running to the junction with the first phase of the western bypass.

A pedestrian underpass adjacent to 'roundabout 1' (on the A4280) has been constructed, with completion of this work meaning the underpass structure is now complete allowing the new roadway to progress.

The resurfacing works for the aforementioned section of Bromham Road to the A428 Junction will be carried out towards the end of March. This will take place during three weekend closures of this section of the road, as follows:

25th - 26th April 2015, from 7am on Saturday until 8pm Sunday

1st - 3rd May 2015, from 8pm on Friday until 8pm on Sunday

8th - 10th May 2015, from 8pm on Friday until 8pm on Sunday

The majority of the work for the new roundabout on Bromham Road is being completed without affecting the normal traffic.

The progress of construction, which is being paid for predominantly by Government funding won by Mayor Dave Hodgson and Bedford Borough Council, is a further example of Mayor Dave's remarkable record of getting things moving for Bedford Borough, even in the face of unprecedented financial pressures for the Council. Local projects delivering real regeneration include the completed Higgins Bedford redevelopment, the ongoing heritage-based regeneration of Bedford High Street and the brand new bus station which will open very shortly.