The Chelmsford North East Bypass is set to begin construction in early 2025, aiming to improve connectivity in the region.
- Phase 1A will connect Beaulieu Parkway to the A12 and further to the A131 Essex Regiment Way, enhancing transportation links.
- This development is part of a larger vision to support the Chelmsford Garden Community and accommodate economic growth.
- The project receives government funding, with contributions from Essex County Council and various developers.
- Preparatory work is already in progress, with a focus on infrastructure that will pave the way for future phases.
The Chelmsford North East Bypass construction is scheduled to start in early 2025. This project, managed by Octavius Infrastructure, is expected to be completed by spring 2026. The bypass is designed to facilitate crucial transport links through the Beaulieu Park Station, currently under construction, and aims to boost housing and economic development in northern Chelmsford.
Phase 1A of the bypass will extend from Beaulieu Parkway, facilitating connections to the A12 at the Boreham Interchange via the Beaulieu Parkway Bridge. It will also link with a new road to the north as part of the Chelmsford Garden Community project. Additionally, it will connect to the Wheelers Hill roundabout on the A131 Essex Regiment Way, further improving the local transport network.
Octavius has already commenced preparatory work on this project, including the completion of a new bridge over the planned road. In addition to this, early site operations have witnessed the construction of an overbridge. A subsequent package of advance works involves excavating and infilling lagoons to further the project’s progression.
The project’s funding is primarily sourced from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, with additional contributions from Essex County Council and developers managed by Chelmsford City Council. This initiative aligns with the broader objective of creating the Chelmsford Garden Community, which will deliver over 10,000 homes and 5,000 square metres of employment space, along with green spaces, schools, and other facilities.
Network Rail is also tasked with constructing the Beaulieu Park Station, which is slated for completion in the next year. Both the bypass and the new station are part of a transformative vision overseen by Essex County Council, which has secured £250 million in funding for these projects. The Council is actively pursuing alternative funding sources, including developer contributions, to complete future sections of the bypass.
Upon completion of sections 1A and 1B, the new road will span approximately 4.6 kilometres. Essex County Council is committed to further advancing the Chelmsford North East Bypass project to ensure it meets the city’s future transportation needs. The council, along with developers, recognises the bypass as vital to Chelmsford’s prosperity and regional economic contribution.
Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways, Tom Cunningham, highlights the bypass’s importance to Chelmsford’s growth and regional economic impact. The new infrastructure is expected to increase accessibility to the A12 and the new train station, reducing local road congestion and supporting residential and business development. He emphasises that the bypass and the Beaulieu Park Station will be instrumental in boosting growth in the city’s northern areas.
Jamie Harrison, Octavius’s delivery director for highways, expresses the company’s enthusiasm for the strategic importance of the project. He notes that the bypass and railway station will serve as crucial infrastructure to connect communities and improve residents’ quality of life.
The Chelmsford North East Bypass project has a history dating back to 2005. Although initially delayed due to funding shortages, the proposal was revisited in 2015. By 2022, the planning application for the bypass received approval from Essex County Council’s Development and Regulation Committee, marking a significant step forward.
The Chelmsford North East Bypass is set to enhance local connectivity and economic growth significantly.
