Bypass dream achieved at last
Last updated at 17:09, Friday, 27 March 2009
IT WAS the moment for which Haydon Bridge had been waiting for 70 years.
Ecstatic villagers gathered in their droves on Wednesday to see Junior Transport Minister Paul Clark cut the ribbon to officially open the £33 million A69 Haydon Bridge bypass.
The opening of the road was a dream come true for local residents, whose lives have been made a misery for decades by the thundering passage of 12,000 vehicles every day – many of them heavy lorries.
Haydon Bridge was the last village on the A69 to be bypassed, and campaigners faced many setbacks in the fight to secure the new road.
And tribute to their efforts was paid by Mr Clark, when he officially opened the road – complete with four bridges including the four-span South Tyne Viaduct.
He signalled out head protester Eileen Charlton for special praise, saying: “‘Perseverance is the key to success’ is something that I have always followed.
“Obviously it is a mantra that Eileen Charlton and other residents have stuck by.”
Mr Clark added “Taking thousands of vehicles a day away from the village centre will make such a difference to people’s lives.
“It will reduce community severance, noise and air pollution and also improve road safety.
“It is good news that the project has been achieved on time and, thanks to close working between the Highways Agency, its contractors, the parish council and others, with as little disruption to the community as was possible.”
Contractors CVC Highway Solutions and Volker Stevin were delighted to finish the scheme on time.
Project manager Graham Dakin said: “I know the people of Haydon Bridge have been looking forward to the road opening and I am delighted that we were able to complete this work on time, particularly following the very poor weather at the start of the year.”
One particular member of the construction team was happier than most to be involved in the building of the bypass.
Haydon Bridge-born Neil Kendrew worked as a planner for Volker Stevin and was on the project for 13 months.
He recalled how he had completed a bypass feasibility study for the village as part of a school project, and had always been keen for Haydon Bridge to be served by a bypass.
He said: “I feel really proud to have worked on the construction and it has been a great experience.”
Pupils from the village’s Shaftoe Trust First School were involved in the process throughout the construction, and it was a fitting tribute that they helped cut the ribbon.
They were invited to plant trees and shrubs to screen the bypass back in November and were again called upon to help with the official opening of the A69 bypass.
Head teacher Audrey Cox said that the new road would reduce traffic and make it safer for children to walk to school.
She said: “It is a great privilege to be involved in such a big part of the village’s history that has been wanted and needed for so long.”
The Highways Agency has joined forces with the fire and rescue service to warn motorists of the changes in junction layouts and speed limits created by the new road.
First published at 09:54, Friday, 27 March 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
I feel as though this will turn Haydon Bridge into a shambles; it is absolutely disgraceful.
The village will lose all trade. As I live there, I am not amused and I am waiting for the first accident, which I am sure won't be long till it happens.
Have your say
My husband and I, I an American and he a Brit, were to buy a home in the past that did reside right in Hayden Bridge on the then main roadway. We decided to not buy that home, as the marriage was failing...but, I can only imagine what a feeling of peacefullness that the semi-detached home would benefit from the bypass of the A69. The home that we were considering was wonderful, but with a damp problem. If we had bought...I have to say that I would had welcomed the bypass. My marriage ended in 2001 and he was a Postie of the Royal Mail - since deceased Derick Lowes. Rest in Peace My Love!
Posted by Linda Siminske (Lowes) on 1 June 2009 at 05:46