Melton bypass project rated 'outstanding' for community engagement
The project to build Melton’s new partial bypass has received prestigious recognition for the way its construction team has engaged with the local community.
Diggers first went in on the North East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (NEMMDR) three years ago and it is expected to open very soon, connecting the A606 Nottingham Road with the A606 Burton Road via six new roundabouts.
Aside from the advantages of helping easing traffic flows and reducing town centre pollution levels, the scheme has generated £28.5M in ‘social value’, with contractors Galliford Try restoring local facilities, supporting mental health services, creating jobs for residents and inspiring young people.
Nearly 1,000 volunteer hours were also provided by the construction team and 80 per cent of the workforce used on the road were recruited from the Melton and surrounding area.
And the £134M scheme has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), receiving three gold awards during construction in recognition of consistently exceptional standards.
CCS is a voluntary national scheme that promotes best practice across the construction industry, with registered projects independently assessed on how they support communities, protect the environment and look after their workforce.
Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “This recognition reflects the values we want to see in all our major projects.
"NEMMDR has shown that building essential infrastructure doesn’t have to come at the expense of communities.
"As the road prepares to open, it creates opportunities not only for the future but also a positive legacy for local people.”
The CCS rating highlights the sensitive engagement of the bypass team in helping protect residents’ wellbeing and build trust, leading to positive outcomes including sustained employment for a young neurodiverse individual who had previously struggled to access traditional education and work environments.
Referring to this, Galliford Try’s Jamie Missenden said: “Building trust between this young person and their family allowed an opportunity to develop a relationship that supported both the scheme and the young person’s long‑term employment.”
The name of the NEMMDR is set to be revealed tomorrow (Thursday) following a public engagement poll.
More than 3,000 people took part online and over 300 residents attended in‑person sessions, selecting from the county council’s short-list of nine potential names.