Bedford Western Newsletter 2
Newsletter No. 2 – February 2008
Background
In our first newsletter we stated our intention to communicate with the public regularly throughout the life of the Project. This would provide information regarding progress being made and information on the detail of the Bypass itself and the features of it.
The scheme is a single carriageway road with additional hardstrips and incorporates roundabouts at its junctions with the A421, Ridge Road and Cemetery Road. There is also a new roundabout to the north of the River Ouse which will provide access to the new housing development soon to be commenced by David Wilson Homes.
The main feature of the bypass is the 330m long Ladies Walk Viaduct which spans the River Ouse on piled foundations. The bridge is of this length to ensure that there is adequate flood relief capacity for this section of the River Ouse which is renowned for flooding in this area.
Progress to Date and Programme
The weather in January was typical for the time of year and as might be expected the River Great Ouse burst its banks within the flood plain. We have enjoyed a relatively dry February, which has allowed us to re-commence earthmoving operations earlier than anticipated. A significant quantity of soil, approximately 50% of the total, has been removed from the new pond being constructed adjacent to the Bypass and A421. This pond provides flood relief storage to counteract the effect of the bypass, which is built on embankment, to be clear of the potential flooding. The excavated earth is being placed to the west of the Bypass to raise the ground out of the floodplain. This will enable housing to be built which would otherwise have been untenable. The earthmoving operations at the Great Denham end of the Bypass are approximately 60% complete and will re-commence next month.
Our contractor, Carillion, will continue to take advantage of any windows of opportunity that may be presented during the winter to continue with the earthmoving.
Fencing and drainage works are underway throughout the site and these activities have continued throughout the winter as weather conditions permit.
Piling works to Ladies Walk Viaduct are approximately 80% complete, with only the foundations south of the river to be finished. It is anticipated that all Piling works will be complete in early March. The piles are bored into the underlying limestone rock and will support the columns and deck of the structure.
Following the piling, the bases to the reinforced concrete columns have commenced.
The bases for the pedestrian/cycleway underpasses at Ridge Road and Hastingsbury are well underway and the walls and roofs will follow.
Environmental Matters
You may have read in the media that there are concerns that an early arrival of spring may result in hibernating species and nesting birds being present earlier than normal. We are carrying out regular ecological surveys and have commenced the necessary ecological mitigation measures to ensure that we fulfil our obligations in this regard.
Preliminary utility diversions of underground service have started at Marsh Leys interchange on the A421 and from 25th March 2008 we will be putting night time lane closures in place to install drainage and utility apparatus.
Traffic Management
Temporary diversions for Ridge Road and Cemetery Road are to be constructed to allow work to take place on the roundabouts without affecting the flow of traffic. However, it is necessary for our earthmoving plant to cross these roads and plant crossings have been installed to allow safe working.
The crossings are not operated during the peak periods to avoid undue traffic delays at these sensitive periods. Some single way temporary traffic light working will also be used during the Contract but the same restrictions on hours will also apply to this form of traffic control.
We will start working at night in the near future on the A421 tie in. This section of the bypass is scheduled for an early completion at the end of 2008. It is expected that this alteration will help to ease traffic congestion at the busy Marsh Leys roundabout.
Liaison
In addition to the publication of this newsletter, regular meetings are being held with representatives from the local councils. David Reedman (County Councillor for Kempston Rural Division) is acting as co-ordinator between the various Parish and other councils and will raise issues of concern on your behalf and provide feedback from the liaison meetings.
There is also a helpline number which is manned during the daytime and has an answerphone for out of working hours. Carillion have committed to respond to messages left on the answerphone within 48 hours of them being recorded. In addition, both I and David Brown from Carillion are contactable during the working day on the number given below so please contact us if you have any concerns or wish to have further information provided.
If you have problems contacting someone through the routes above, Bedfordshire Highways also has a helpline as detailed below. Issues raised on this line will be forwarded to the site team very quickly.
Malcolm Haynes
Project Manager - Bedfordshire Highways
Site Contact No: (01234) 849000
24 hr Contact No: (01234) 856282
Highways Helpline: (01234) 228661
Progress Photographs:
Flood Plain functioning as it should
Placing Concrete Hastingsbury Underpass Base
Earthmoving Operation Pond E
Ladies Walk Viaduct, North Abutment Base
Ladies Walk Viaduct, Reinforcement to Intermediate Base