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A421 Great Barford Bypass

Explanation of Scheme & Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement

Introduction

The Highways Agency is proposing to build the Great Barford Bypass. This brochure describes the proposals and summarises the associated Environmental Statement in non-technical language.

Purpose of the Environmental Statement

The Environmental Statement describes the proposals, their main effects on the environment and the measures developed to mitigate adverse environmental effects. Its purpose is to ensure that the public understands the proposals and is given the opportunity to express an opinion on them before the Secretary of State decides whether to proceed with the Scheme.

The Environmental Statement has been issued in accordance with EC Directive 85/337/EEC (on the assessment of effects of certain public projects on the environment), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC, and as applied in England and Wales by Section 105 of the Highways Act 1990. The statement should be read in conjuntion with the draft Highways Act Orders for the scheme.

The full Environmental Statement will be deposited for inspection during normal office hours at the locations detailed on the back page of this leaflet.

The Need for the Scheme

The A421 through Great Barford carries approximately 23,000 vehicles per day and suffers from considerable congestion, particularly during peak hours.

The high traffic flows result in unreliable journey times for travellers, a poor accident record along this section of the A421 and a reduction in the quality of life for the villagers in Great Barford.

The Proposed Scheme

The Great Barford Bypass would be a new 7.7kms (4.8 miles) long dual carriageway. It would commence at the eastern end of the Bedford Southern Bypass. The existing roundabout would be removed and the dual carriageway would continue in a north easterly direction beneath Water End Road, where a new two level junction would be built to allow all turning movements on and off the Bypass. The route would run to the north of Great Barford and Roxton and connect into a new enlarged Black Cat Roundabout on the A1. Bridges would be provided for Barford Road, Birchfield Road and Roxton Road to cross the Bypass. There would also be additional underpasses or bridges for watercourse crossings, access requirements for the landowners and safe crossings for footpath and bridleway users.

Environmental Effects

The scheme would provide significant environmental benefits to the village of Great Barford, and to a lesser extent Roxton. Over 130 properties would experience a reduction in noise levels and there would be improved air quality due to the reduced traffic congestion. This would result in Great Barford returning to a more rural village environment.

While the route generally crosses arable farmland of low ecological value, it would affect Howbury Hall parkland. However, specific measures would be taken to lessen the impact of the scheme. There would be some tree and hedgerow loss along the scheme, but this would be mitigated by the new landscape planting.

Balancing ponds would be provided to control the rate of run off from the Bypass into the adjacent watercourses.

Provision would be made for the maintenance of footpath and bridleway routes, which cross the Bypass. In some cases this would involve short diversions to an adjacent bridge.

Your Views

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals should write to the Highways Agency at the Bedford address below, and by the date given on the page inserted in this brochure. Alternatively you can e-mail your comments to a421greatbarfordbypass@highways.gsi.gov.uk. If you have any queries, you can call Bedford (01234) 796208.

After considering all the comments the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, may decide to hold a Public Inquiry before an Independent Inspector. The Secretary of State would consider the Inspector's Report and recommendations before deciding to proceed with the scheme. A copy of the letter announcing his decision would be sent to all those who comment on the proposals.

Copies of the Environmental Statement may be purchased from the Highways Agency at the Bedford address at a cost of £80. Supporting documentation can also be made available at cost.

Further Information

Copies of the Environmental Statement and other documents may be inspected free of charge during office hours at: Highways Agency, Room 244, Heron House, 49-53 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3LL

Summary of Environmental Effects

Topic	Key Issue	Key Mitigation Proposed	Residual Effects
Air Quality	Levels of air quality in villages of Great Barford and Roxton.	Bypass would remove through traffic from Great Barford and move it further from Roxton.	Improvement in air quality in villages.
Cultural Heritage	Effects on Listed Buildings and scheduled Ancient Monuments within 500m of scheme.	Landscaping proposals to minimise adverse effects on settings.	Landscape planting would develop to screen settings.
Archaeology	Effects on archaeological features within 500m of scheme.	Watching brief during construction.	Effect would be dependent on the quality of any finds made.
Disruption due to Construction	Requirement to transport off-site excess excavated material.	Dust and noise generated during construction would be controlled by good environmental practice by the Contractor.	Disruption from construction vehicles would not occur once scheme is completed.
Ecology and Nature Conservation*	Loss of mature trees at Howbury Hall, at western end of scheme, and trees and shrubs along route.	Landscape planting would replace habitat lost with time.	Planted areas would develop and mature to provide additional wildlife habitats.
Landscape Effects	Loss of approximately 3ha of parkland at Howbury Hall, including trees and shrubs.	Landscape planting would mitigate loss and enhance general planting in the area.	Planted areas would develop and mature to replace lost areas with time.
Visual Impacts	Presence of overbridges and embankments.	Landscape planting would reduce the visual impact of the scheme.	Planted areas would develop and mature with time.
Traffic Noise and Vibration	Level of noise nuisance from road traffic in villages of Great Barford and Roxton.	Bypass would remove through traffic from Great Barford and move it further from Roxton.	Reduction in noise levels in the villages.
Pedestrians, Cyclists and Community Effects	Severance of six footpaths and one bridleway. Road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians in villages of Great Barford and Roxton.	Overbridges and underpasses would be provided. Bypass would remove through traffic from Great Barford and move it further from Roxton.	No net loss of Rights of Way. Improved road safety in villages. Reduced community severance in Great Barford.
Vehicle Travellers	High levels of stress and delays for users of existing road.	Provision of the dual carriageway Bypass.	Reduced levels of driver stress and improved journey time reliability.
Water Quality and Drainage	Minor watercourses crossed by the scheme.	Watercourses would be re-routed and balancing ponds would be provided to control surface water run-off.	Balancing ponds would maintain existing surface water runoff rates.
Agricultural Land Use	Loss of approximately 44ha of Grade 2 and 3a agricultural land.	None identified.	Loss of farmland.
Policies and Plans	Great Barford Bypass is specifically included in current central government transport policies and complies with regional and local planning policy.	The Bypass and associated mitigation measures would ensure compliance with central and local government policies.	Completion of Great Barford Bypass would realise key policies.