The Shawmill Council has voted to approve a new bypass route designed to reduce traffic through the town centre. The decision came after months of consultation and follows concerns over congestion and air quality in residential areas. Councillors approved the plan by a margin of eight to three during a meeting held on Tuesday evening.

Route and Construction Timeline

The proposed bypass will run to the north of Shawmill, connecting the A47 and B1065 roads over a distance of 4.2 miles. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 and take approximately three years to complete. The project will include two new roundabouts, a wildlife underpass and noise barriers along sections close to homes. Funding will come from a combination of central government grants and local authority contributions, with the total cost estimated at 48 million pounds. Officials stated that the route has been chosen to minimise impact on farmland while providing a direct alternative for through traffic.

Engineers have conducted extensive surveys of the land and nearby watercourses to ensure drainage and flood risk are properly managed. The council has also committed to planting over 12,000 trees along the corridor as part of the environmental mitigation package.

Local Impact and Next Steps

Residents living near the planned route have expressed mixed views. Some welcome the reduction in heavy goods vehicles passing through the high street, while others worry about noise and loss of green space. The council has pledged to hold further public meetings to address specific concerns before detailed planning applications are submitted. Businesses in the town centre have generally supported the scheme, citing potential increases in footfall once traffic volumes drop. Monitoring stations will be installed to track air quality both before and after the bypass opens. The approved plan now moves to the design refinement stage, with a final business case due to be submitted to the Department for Transport later this year.