BYPASS IS FINALLY UNDER WAY
LONG-AWAITED ROAD SCHEME BEGINNING THIS WEEK WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY 2021
WORK is set to start on a busy Derbyshire road and last until next July as the project to build the Woodville bypass finally gets under way.
Signs have gone up saying that work is due to start in Swadlincote Road, Woodville, at the junction with Woodhouse Street and Kiln Way by Derbyshire County Council on the construction of the new road and changes to the existing one.
The work was due to start on Monday and last for 40 weeks but it had not started when the Burton Mail visited the area at the start of the working week.
According to roadworks information website one.network, there will be temporary traffic lights in the area on and off during the work, which is due to last until July 30, 2021.
Work will also take place in Derby Road, Swadlincote, Occupation Lane and Bernard Street, Woodville, as part of the same project.
It is part of a scheme by the council on the Woodville to Swadlincote regeneration route project. This includes the long-awaited bypass, which is planned to take traffic away from the congested Tollgate Island which has long been a problem in
the area. The council says the project aims to unlock the development potential of the Woodville regeneration area and will cost approximately £13.44 million to build.
Funding includes a £6.4 million D2N2 grant and £620,00 from developer contributions, as well as money from the council.
The council website states: “The regeneration area is considered as being fundamental to the future prosperity of Swadlincote by providing much needed commercial space and 300 new homes, creating 3,100 jobs (plus construction jobs).
“The regeneration route would also form an important component of Derbyshire’s transport infrastructure by providing an alternative route for traffic accessing the town of Swadlincote, and also for east-west journeys between the M1/A42/M42 and A38/A50 trunk roads.
“Journey times along the A511 are currently impeded at the A511/A514 clock roundabout leading to chronic congestion and a higher than average accident record.
“The regeneration route will relieve some of the congestion by greatly improving the accessibility of Swadlincote to the wider strategic and major road networks.
“The route also has the potential to provide additional economic benefits to and boost investor confidence within Woodville and Swadlincote by enabling reduced and consistent journey times.”