Work under way at last on A12 Stanway bypass (From Gazette)

Work under way at last on A12 Stanway bypass

4:10pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in News By Caroline Tilley

WORK is finally under way on a £7million road linking Stanway to the A12.

Diggers moved onto the site in Warren Lane, yesterday, to start building the Western Bypass, which is expected to open in 18 months.

It is hoped the long-awaited road, first mooted in 1988, will ease congestion for residents and provide the necessary infrastructure for more houses and businesses in Stanway.

During the works Church Lane will be closed to traffic from its junction with Tollgate Road for 400m.

Roadworks will also take place in Warren Lane, at the junction of the Western Relief Road, starting in early 2013 for about six months.

Lesley Scott-Boutell, borough councillor for Stanway, said: “There have been so many stops and starts.

“It’s the first step in the infrastructure we need. We know Warren Lane is chock-a-block.

“If it takes some of the traffic off existing roads, it’s got to be good.”

Colin Sykes, borough councillor for Stanway, said he hoped the road would open by the end of his mayoral year, which starts in May 2013.

He said: “It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted it’s started.”

Developers agreed to build the road as part of an agreement to construct about 380 homes off Church Lane, Tollgate and Robin Crescent.

A spokesman for Terence O’Rourke, agent for developer O&H Properties, said: “This marks an important step towards providing the transport link between London Road and Warren Lane to relieve congestion.

“In total, the combined construction works are expected to take 18 months, with the new bypass scheduled to open early in 2014.”

O&H Properties has also recently submitted plans to extend two outline planning consents for the remaining residential development at Lakelands.

It is thought work will start on the homes once the bypass is complete.