Following on from the major infrastructure improvement works to the Boreham Interchange which commenced in January 2021 by Countryside and L&Q, the demolition of Generals Lane Bridge in Boreham, Chelmsford – a key milestone in the delivery of a new relief road - was successfully completed over the Christmas break.
Undertaken by specialist demolition contractors JF Hunts on behalf of Countryside and L&Q, the demolition of Generals Lane Bridge over the railway line and A12 northbound slip road at Jct.19 took place over four days, starting on Christmas Day. The works were completed on time and the railway line and A12 slip road were able to re-open on the 29th December as planned.
The road bridge has been demolished to make way for the construction of the final section of the new radial distributor road (relief road) being built by Countryside and L&Q, that will provide a direct connection between the Boreham Interchange and Essex Regiment Way (A130).
The new relief road, named as the A131 Beaulieu Parkway, has already opened in part, with the final and most complex section now able to start, including the construction of a new bridge over the railway line to connect the relief road with the re-aligned Boreham Interchange.
Once open in full, the new relief road will provide a more convenient link between the A12 Jct. 19 and the A130 (Essex Regiment Way) and will replace Colchester Road and White Hart Lane as the strategic route to Braintree, Stansted Airport and the M11, ultimately relieving congestion in and around Springfield.
The new relief road will also provide access to the planned new Beaulieu railway station which is scheduled to complete in 2025/6. This follows the project being awarded nearly £218m of funding from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund in 2019 in recognition of the scheme’s role in supporting housing growth in North East Chelmsford.
Martin Leach, Managing Director, Strategic Land, Countryside said:
“The successful demolition of the Generals Lane Bridge is an important milestone for us and our partners in progressing the much-needed relief road. Its completion, combined with the improvements that have been made to the Boreham Interchange over the past year, put us in a strong position to complete the new relief road in 2023, an important step in the sustainable growth of the city.”
Neil Davis, Delivery Director at L&Q said:
“We’re delighted with the progress that’s been made with the demolition works over Christmas. Our vision for Beaulieu – a vibrant, sustainable and connected new neighbourhood – is underpinned by our investment in local transport infrastructure. New and existing residents will benefit from these works, alongside our improvements to the Boreham Interchange and planned railway station.”
