Final works progress on £130m Leicestershire bypass ahead of opening

Work is entering its final phase on a major new bypass in Leicestershire, with what the council has described as the road’s “finishing touches” now under way ahead of an expected opening this year.

The Melton Mowbray Distributor Road has been designed to ease congestion in the town centre while supporting additional traffic generated by new housing developments across the area.

Spanning almost 4.5 miles, the scheme represents the largest highways project ever delivered by Leicestershire County Council. The overall cost to the authority is estimated at around £130 million, with approximately £50 million provided through government funding.

The council has confirmed that final preparations are being completed ahead of an anticipated opening around Easter 2026. This phase includes a £1.2 million biodiversity programme, which will see hundreds of young trees planted, alongside the completion of new walking and cycling routes connecting surrounding communities.

During construction, contractors have also contributed skills and resources to support local charities and community initiatives. The council said these efforts “have made a real difference” across Melton.

Projects delivered as part of this work included resurfacing John Ferneley College’s car park at no cost, developing a horticultural area for Sunny Skies, and refurbishing Pepper’s mental health centre in advance of its opening.

As the authority’s biggest road scheme to date nears completion, sections of all six new roundabouts are already open to traffic. Major bridge installations are complete, while surfacing and landscaping activities continue across the route.

Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“Despite complex ground conditions, significant archaeological finds and weather events such as Storm Babet and Storm Henk, the team kept the project moving forward and it remains on schedule for completion.

“Improving our road network is important but so is protecting nature and that’s why we’re planting hundreds of trees.

“This new road is a major investment in Melton’s future. It will cut congestion, make journeys more reliable and help the town grow.”

The county council has also announced plans to hold a public vote on the bypass’s official name in February. Residents will be invited to choose from a shortlist, with the winning name revealed shortly before the road opens.