Mayor Dave Opens Final Section of Bedford Western Bypass

The final section of the Bedford Western Bypass has been opened to traffic by Mayor Dave Hodgson.

The northern section of the Bedford Western Bypass, which links the A4280 at Biddenham with the A6 at the Clapham roundabout, completes a north-south route bypassing Bedford ending a 50-plus year wait since it first began appearing in local and national plans and strategies. Construction took p[lace after Mayor Dave took decisive action in launching the successful strategy of pursuing compulsory purchase order proceedings, which were successful in helping to clear the logjam blocking progress on the scheme.

At today's opening, Mayor Dave was joined by contractors Breheny Civil Engineering, funders and local schoolchildren at a special ceremony on the site, to mark the completion of the £18.6 million scheme. This photograph shows Mayor Dave with John Breheny of Breheny Civil Engineering with children from St James' Lower School in Biddenham.

As part of the official opening of the new bypass, named The Great Ouse Way, a Routemaster bus led a convoy of vintage and classic cars in a tour of the highway. And volunteers from Sustrans took to their bikes to ride on the new cycle and pedestrian path which runs along the length of the road.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "The final section of the Bedford Western Bypass has been completed on time and in budget, and its opening is fantastic news for all local road users. It's also a great boost for the local economy, making Bedford Borough an even more attractive place to invest in and create jobs and growth.

"Quite simply, a complete Western Bypass will help all road users to get into and around Bedford. That's why it's been in plans and strategies for over half a century, and we're delighted to have overcome the obstacles in the way and made this final section a reality."

John Breheny, Chairman of the Breheny Group, said: "With their positive approach, Bedford Borough Council has been a great client to work for. Completion of the Western Bypass has been a real team effort between us and this has resulted in a high quality scheme which has been completed on time and on budget."

The first phase of the Western Bypass between the A421 and the A428 was completed in 2009 and has proved to be hugely successful giving greater accessibility to the area through improved traffic flows and increased efficiency and safety for journeys.

Construction of the final phase began in autumn 2014 after Bedford Borough Council secured external funding, including £5 million from the Homes and Communuities Agency, £4.5million from the Department for Transport and £2.5 million from SEMLEP. The Council reached agreement with the principal landowners and a wide range of interested parties and pursued the successful Compulsory Purchase Order process.

The northern section of the bypass will enable the construction of important new homes, including affordable homes, and will also enable the creation of a new employment park providing 650 new jobs.

Breheny Civil Engineering won the tender to construct the 2.4km-long road, which has involved building a bridge over the busy Midland Main Line and creating a new pedestrian subway.

Wildlife conservation has been a key consideration during construction of the Western Bypass. New planting and pond areas have been introduced to support the existing ecosystem and allow it to continue to thrive.

Other measures to protect local wildlife include fencing to prevent badgers straying onto the carriageway and the construction of a new artificial badger sett.

To find out more about the Bedford Western Bypass, visit www.bedford.gov.uk/westernbypass