Scunthorpe's Burringham Bypass gets planning approval
It will connect Scunthorpe’s southern motorway junction to the rest of the town
The long-awaited Burringham Bypass has been given planning approval, paving the way for the road that will finally connect Scunthorpe’s southern motorway junction to the rest of the town.
The new link road will connect the M181 directly to Burringham Road, creating a southern gateway into Scunthorpe.
It is also a key part of unlocking the first phase of the wider Trent Vale development scheme, previously known as Lincolnshire Lakes until a recent rebrand. Besides providing the infrastructure required for the new villages west of Scunthorpe, it will deliver immediate benefits for existing residents once built by providing a faster, more direct route to the motorway from Ashby, Bottesford, Burringham, Yaddlethorpe and Messingham. The bypass is also intended to help ease congestion at Berkeley Circle roundabout.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is another major milestone, not just for the bypass but for the wider Trent Vale vision. The roundabout will be going somewhere very soon.”
A roundabout has already been developed on the M181 close to where Burringham Road passes over it. But it currently leads to nowhere.
The M181 roundabout will be linked up to Burringham Road via the link road and two new roundabouts on either side of the motorway. The works are set to be carried out in a phased approach.
Once the last phase, the western roundabout, is completed, the Burringham Road overhead bridge will no longer be a vehicle route. Instead, it will be converted into an active travel route for pedestrians and cyclists.
“We’ve always been clear that if we’re going to deliver new communities, the infrastructure has to come first,” continued Cllr Waltham. “This road unlocks the southern part of Trent Vale and will provide immediate benefits for residents who have waited far too long to see this motorway junction properly connected.”
“I’d like to thank Cllr Josh Walshe, Cllr Neil Poole, and Cllr John Davidson, who have worked tirelessly to help bring this project to this stage. This has been a genuine team effort, and another example of North Lincolnshire Council delivering the infrastructure needed to support the area’s future.”
The bypass will be delivered by Keepmoat. It is being funded through the Local Regeneration Fund, secured as part of North Lincolnshire Council’s approved capital programme. Remaining works are expected to cost approximately £3.9m.
The new link road forms part of the first phase of the wider Trent Vale masterplan, which will create six new villages set within green infrastructure, extensive open space and new walking and cycling routes. The intended names of the villages are Burgess Croft, Burleigh Green, Woldmere, Ashmere, Southgate Hollow and Brumby Green.
Cllr Neil Poole (Conservative – Messingham), deputy council leader and cabinet member for roads, waste and flooding, said: “This is the infrastructure that makes the wider vision possible. Residents will benefit from a quicker, more direct route to the motorway, while the road also provides the capacity needed for future growth.
“It’s an investment that delivers benefits from day one and for decades to come.”