Advanced enabling works are set to start on the new multi-million-pound Chelmsford North East Bypass.
We have developed the scheme, with Chelmsford City Council, and it is part of a £250 million investment package that also includes a new railway station at Beaulieu.
Plans for the bypass were granted planning approval earlier this year.
They involve building a new 4.6km single carriageway between the Beaulieu Park development and a new roundabout on the existing A131 at Chatham Green.
The plans also include dualling 1.2km of the A131 between Chatham Green and Deres Bridge Roundabout.
Ahead of the anticipated start of the main bypass construction works early next year, enabling works will get underway. These will see the creation of a new conveyor bridge which will ultimately span the new bypass.
The new bridge will enable the continued operation of Bulls Lodge mineral quarry during construction and operation of the bypass.
We have appointed Octavius Infrastructure as the contractor for the advanced works. Preliminary investigations at the site north of Beaulieu Parkway will start this week.
Main building works are then scheduled to start from 22 August. It is currently anticipated this initial phase of enabling works will take 12 months.
No major traffic disruption is expected during the advanced works, with most of the works taking place away from the existing road network.
The bypass scheme and proposed new railway station at Beaulieu have secured £218million of funding from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, plus £34million of other funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and developer Countryside Zest.
Find out more about the new Chelmsford North East Bypass.