First phase of Chelmsford North East Bypass goes out to tender

Delivery of the first phase of a new north east bypass for Chelmsford has moved a step closer.

Essex County Council has gone out to tender for a contract to build the initial section of Chelmsford North East Bypass.

The bypass, together with the new railway station at Beaulieu, will provide important infrastructure to support planned housing and economic growth to the north of Chelmsford.

The first section of the bypass will connect with Beaulieu Parkway in the south, providing access to the A12 at Boreham Interchange via the recently opened Beaulieu Parkway Bridge.

To the north, it will join with a new link road, to be built by developers as part of the planned Chelmsford Garden Community, to the Wheelers Hill roundabout on the A131 Essex Regiment Way.

The bypass is funded by the Government through Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), with funds secured as a result of plans for the new garden community.

Essex County Council’s HIF programme for Chelmsford also includes commissioning Network Rail to build the new Beaulieu Park Station.

With trains reaching Liverpool Street in 40 minutes, this will be the first station to be built on the Great Eastern mainline for over 100 years.

New tracks and platforms have already been laid, and once complete in 2025, the station will relieve pressure on Chelmsford station. It will provide a better, more resilient and flexible service with three platforms, car parking, a public transport interchange, cycling facilities and new track for passing trains.

Councillor Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council’s Deputy to the Leader with principal accountabilities on Major Infrastructure Projects and Freeports, said: “Given its importance to the regional economy, Chelmsford needs a transport network to match if it is to properly facilitate future development and economic growth.

“The bypass and station scheme support that ambition to the north of the city, notably Chelmsford Garden Community, which along with other strategic sites allocated in the local plans, will deliver thousands of new homes, one million square feet of new business space, schools, quality open spaces and community facilities.

“It is, therefore, vital for the prosperity of Chelmsford that we progress the first phase of the bypass and we are now inviting contractors to bid to deliver this major construction project.”

The transformational road and rail upgrade is being delivered with more than £250 million in funding which Essex County Council secured.

Development of 6,250 homes at Chelmsford Garden Community is subject to live planning applications to be determined by Chelmsford City Council.

Meanwhile, enabling work for the first phase of the bypass is underway, with a new bridge spanning the future road nearing completion, north of Beaulieu Parkway.

The council is also continuing negotiations with landowners and partners to secure the land needed for Section 1A of the bypass. This is alongside preparing compulsory purchase orders in the event the land cannot be secured through negotiation.

Construction of Section 1A of the bypass is then scheduled to start in early 2025 and is expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

Further phases of the bypass are subject to funding being secured alongside future phases of the garden community’s development.