A507 Ridgmont Bypass

This scheme is currently under construction, works started on 8 November 2006.

Description

The scheme consists of two sections,

• A section north of the M1 Motorway running east / west from the A507 approx 0.5km north of the M1 overbridge at Ridgmont, at its east end to the C76 Station Road junction with the A421 at its west end.
  
  This section links the A507 immediately north of the M1 motorway to the A421, near Junction 13, following an alignment close to and broadly parallel with the motorway. This section of the bypass will be some 2.5km in length, and will consist of a single carriageway two lane all purpose road 7.3m wide with 3.5m verges.
  
  
• A section south of the M1 Motorway running north / south along part of Station Road, Ridgmont and Mill Road.
  
  The improvements to Mill Road are an integral part of the bypass. They consist essentially of part of the existing road network retained and connected into the bypass, with appropriate minor improvements. The alterations to the existing Mill Road will include widening to a minimum width of 6.75m with an additional 1.5m footpath along the western edge

 The scheme will provide traffic relief to the villages of Ridgmont and Husborne Crawley completing the east – west link between junction 10 of the A1(M) motorway and junction 13 of the M1 motorway.

Progress:

The contractor for the works is Birse Civils Ltd, they officially commenced work on 8 November 2006 and got off to a flying start with a sod cutting ceremony in the field adjacent to the railway station, attended by local dignitaries and two groups of children from Lower Ridgmont and Husborne Crawley primary schools. The event was also attended by the press and it appeared on both ITV and BBC local news.

The contractor will be liaising closely with local landowners and householders throughout the project to minimise any disruption or issues regarding access.

Steps have already been taken to relocate a colony of newts presently located in the field adjacent to Ridgmont Station.

Work has also commenced on the upgrading of Mill Road, to include widening to a width of 6.75 m and the inclusion of a 1.5m footpath/cycleway.  Site clearance and temporary orange fencing and bunting have been erected prior to the permanent timber boundary fence being erected. Topsoil stripping on Mill Road from The White Horse Pub to Mill Farm and erecting a stone blanket are also underway.

At Ampthill Road, site boundaries have been erected and access points formed to provide facilities for construction traffic, earthworks have started near Station Road which initially will consist of topsoil stripping.

Work started in early December for Piling the foundations of the new railway bridge adjacent to Station Road.

The main contractor’s compound is located opposite the railway station, should you have any queries or require further details please contact the Highways Helpline|.

Start of works for the A507 Ridgmont Bypass

 

Scheme Layout Drawing