Proposals for £83m eastern relief road for Melton could be set to move forward

A report, due to be discussed by Leicestershire County Council’s ruling Cabinet next month, says that an eastern route could be more than £20m cheaper than a longer, western route and give the best cost-to-benefit ratio.

A detailed route has not been identified yet but the county council would consult the public and landowners as development work progresses.

The proposed eastern relief road would form part of a proposed Melton Mowbray outer relief road, which would link the A606 Nottingham Road to the A607 Leicester Road.

If the Cabinet agrees to progress the proposals it would seek developer contributions and bid to the Government’s Local Major Schemes Fund, which would have to be submitted by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership by July.

Councillor Peter Osborne, Cabinet member for highways, said: “Melton’s congestion is constraining the town’s growth. Our studies suggest an eastern relief road could be the most cost effective way of easing this pressure and boosting the economy by £102m per year.

“We’re proposing to develop a detailed business case for the proposals and submit a bid for Government funds later this year.”

The news comes after Melton Borough Council approved plans for more than 500 houses off Leicester Road, which would contribute £4.5m to support an outer relief road for Melton.

County and borough council officers have worked with consultants to consider options for a relief road, after it emerged that traffic was already facing rush hour delays of up to three minutes per mile.

The Cabinet will consider the report when it meets at 2pm on Monday, May 9.