Keeping up the Momentum on the Bypass 'Missing Link'

We have moved another step closer to the delivery of the crucial 'missing link' of the Western Bypass, after I signed off the formal decision to authorise Compulsory Purchase Order proceedings for the acquisition of the land required for the road. The publication of this decision is a necessary, formal further step in the process of acquiring the land which is on the long-identified route for the 'missing link' of the bypass, linking the A428 at Biddenham with the A6 at Clapham.

The need for a completed Western Bypass has been identified for 30 years at both local and national levels, and Bedford simply cannot afford to wait another 30 years. We are therefore doing everything we can to remove any logjams and bring construction of the road forwards. The route of the road is well-established, and the need for it is overwhelming, as we all know. Pursuing the CPO will ensure that the road can go ahead, and that any unwillingness on the part of any landowners to come to an agreement over their land will not block this vital, overdue project for Bedford.

The completed bypass will open up a north-south route away from the town centre for the first time, easing congestion, improving air quality in Bedford and boosting our local economy. The CPO process requires a great deal of work to be done to ensure all necessary land can be acquired, but we are now at a point where we can get on with doing so, whether by agreement or compulsorily. I hope that all landowners will be constructive and will seek to make agreements in the interests of all parties, rather than dragging out the process at great cost to the taxpayer and to the swift delivery of this crucial new road.

The Council will now formally 'make' a Compulsory Purchase Order and a Side Roads Order, after which there is a six week period during which objections can be made. The Secretary of State for Transport will determine whether a public inquiry will take place into the objections to the Orders and if so when.

So, there is still a way to go, but we are doing all we can to keep up the momentum and make real progress towards the construction of road which will have a hugely positive impact for our local economy and for all local road users.