Melton Mowbray: Bypass project work closes busy road for weeks

The council said the new bypass would relieve traffic congestion in the town centre

A busy road in Leicestershire will be closed for three weeks as work on a town's long-awaited bypass takes place.

Leicestershire County Council said closures would be in place on the A606 Burton Road from Monday to 28 January.

Works will be carried out to install telecommunications and drainage infrastructure as part of the bypass project.

Construction of the north and east parts of Melton Mowbray's distributor road began in May last year.

The road will be a 4.4-mile (7km) route between the A606 Nottingham Road and the A606 Burton Road.

The council warned residents of the closure in December and advised motorists of diversion routes in an effort to "minimise disruption".

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to access the route, but the latter must dismount as they pass through the works, the council said.

A606 Nottingham Road in and out of Melton will remain open.

'Inconvenience'

A letter from Leicestershire County Council to residents read: "The closure is required to safely undertake the installation of new BT infrastructure and the new drainage network across the A606 as part of the new roundabout construction.

"All diversion routes will be clearly signposted. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during the construction of the project."

The project is planned to relieve traffic congestion in the town centre and unlock land for new housing.

In October, it was revealed that the southern leg of the bypass was not viable due to spiralling costs.

A council report said £27m of increased costs meant it could not afford the southern part of the road.