A47 Earl Shilton Bypass

News

Construction of the main carriage way is progressing well with the main activities in July being the earthworks, which are dependant on good weather and kerbing of the northern roundabout. The culvert to carry Thurlaston Brook was completed in June with the Bridleway underpass also now complete. The brook which is to flow through the underpass is due to be diverted through it week beginning 7^th July 2008. Thurlaston Lane Bridge had its concrete deck poured in early June and steel fencing and parapets are currently being installed to ensure pedestrian safety. The main structures should be completed in August.

The bypass is on programme to open winter 08/09 and it is hoped to open the section between Elmsthorpe Lane and Carrs Hill roundabout will open in September.

May/June 2008 - Update on main activites

Completion of newt trapping Following reports of great crested newt larvae being found English Nature required that an exclusion zone be set up and fencing installed to keep newts off the site when they came out of hibernation. To ensure none were trapped within the fenced off site, traps were installed and checked for a 30 day period once the temperature was warm enough for the newts to be making their way to ponds to breed. The adjacent picture shows a section of the newt fence and one of the installed newt traps. No great crested newts were found in the traps and work can now begin on the central section of the bypass which was delayed. The bypass project has been kept on track by bringing forward the contruction of areas of the bypass either side of the restricted area and these have been progressing well. The team also constructed 'hibernaculars' (roughly speaking a pile of stones and soil) that the newts burrow into to hibernate over winter. These have been constructed along the side of the bypass route and a section can be seen on the adjacent picture (the raised bank).
Thurlaston Lane Bridge The new bridge is well underway with the concrete bases and piers now in place. The main concrete pour to create the deck of the bridge which carries the road was carried out in early June and steel parapets and fencing along the sides of the bridge, to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety is currently being installed. Thurlaston Lane traffic will be diverted onto the new bridge in October 2008. The adjacent picture shows the bridge being constructed.
Thurlaston Brook Culvert The tunnel under the bypass for Thurlaston Brook has now been completed and the brook has been diverted through the new structure, with the redundant stream bed being filled in. The adjacent picture shows the diverted brook flowing through the new culvert.
Bridleway Underpass The Bridleway underpass has now had the concrete poured to form the deck and will reach full strength later this month. The Bridleway Underpass is expected to be completed in late July. The adjacent picture shows the underpass being constructed.
Carrs Hill Construction of the roundabout at Carrs Hill is progressing well and ahead of schedule. The completion of this part of the project ahead of schedule will help to make up time on the bypass project lost due to the discovery of newts. The adjacent picture shows the bypass looking towards Carrs Hill.
Future site activities Installation of the drainage system including ponds Earthworks:- leveling out along the bypass. This will lead to more lorries travelling along the line of the bypass and crossing local roads. (see adjacent picture) Construction of the Northern roundabout

If you have specific queries regarding this scheme you can contact the site office on 01455 849 600, or ROADLINE on FREEPHONE 0800 62 62 03. For any other queries please visit the HIGHWAY CONTACT DETAILS webpage.

Do not use a mobile phone whilst driving.

For more information on Leicestershire’s road network visit www.leics.gov.uk/highways.

The Scheme

To view an overall scheme plan of the proposals, please select the following link:

Overall scheme plan (pdf format, 383 kb)

The Bypass is approximately 5km (3.0 miles) long and follows the corridor established in the Local Plan that links the A47 Hinckley Northern Perimeter Road from a new roundabout at Carrs Hill to the A47 Leicester Road north east of Earl Shilton. The Bypass will be a 7.3 metre wide single carriageway with one metre wide hard strips alongside. Quiet road surfacing material is proposed throughout its length. A combined footway/cycleway 2.5 metre wide will be provided along the length of the Bypass with connections to the existing cycle facilities along the Hinckley Northern Perimeter Road and to the side roads at each junction.

To view scheme plans for which planning permission has been granted, select the following links:

A47 (west) to Breach Lane (pdf format, 1,966 kb)

Mill Lane to A47 (east) (pdf format, 1,325 kb)

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Aim and Objectives

The overall aim of the Bypass is to improve conditions along the A47 in Earl Shilton, that will enable complementary improvements to be made to the town centre in order to provide a safe, accessible and environmentally more attractive place for the local community.

The principle objectives of the scheme are:-

to channel local through-traffic including heavy goods vehicles and congestion away from Earl Shilton onto a purpose built highway;
to enhance the local environment in Earl Shilton by reducing the traffic problems of; severance, intimidation, noise and air pollution;
to improve accessibility for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists by enabling an integrated package of improvements to be undertaken in the centre of Earl Shilton;
to assist planned economic growth and developments within the town and surrounding area by providing primary or improved access;
to enhance road safety for all users by diverting local through-traffic away from the centre of Earl Shilton and thereby reducing vehicle conflicts in the town centre, residential areas, schools and community facilities along the A47.

Scheme History

To view scheme history click here

Contacts

Leicestershire County Council: Bernard Evans, 0116 305 6834, email tsd@leics.gov.uk