Major work set to start on Barford bypass
A highly anticipated project to create a bypass at Barford over the River Avon begins on Monday 13 February 2006.
This major Warwickshire County Council scheme will result in traffic bypassing the village of Barford, and the existing bridge over the River Avon. The 2.1km single carriageway bypass will leave the A429 at the south end of Barford, rejoining it north of the river, approximately a mile from Longbridge Roundabout at M40 Junction 15.
There will be a four span steel composite bridge over the River Avon. One span will bridge the river whilst the remaining three spans will bridge the flood plain. Four concrete box flood culverts will be installed with an additional flood culvert placed under the existing A429.
A mound will be created between the new road and Barford, blocking the view of the road from the village and absorbing much of the noise from the traffic.
The scheme will also include comprehensive landscaping, with numerous trees and shrubs being planted.
Diverting the main road traffic from the existing Grade II listed River Avon Bridge will remove the need for extensive maintenance of the bridge, to cater for new European legislation requiring bridges to be able to carry at least 44 tonnes of vehicle weight, which this bridge currently cannot do.
Design work has been undertaken by Warwickshire County Council’s Design Services Group, and GallifordTry Contractors have been awarded the contract for the construction of the bypass. The scheme should be completed in Summer 2007.
Whilst construction work is in progress, traffic and pedestrian movements on the A429, as well as access to existing properties, will be maintained.
Councillor Martin Heatley, Portfolio Holder for Environment with Warwickshire County Council, said: “This is the culmination of many years work; diverting traffic from the bridge is a project that has long been considered desirable and I am pleased that the county has shown both the determination to carry it through this far and the resources to find funds for the project. The benefits to the environment in and around Barford, as well as traffic flow, will be immense and I look forward to its successful completion.”