Your chance to see simulated drone footage of Melton's planned bypass

A planning application for the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR) was this week submitted to Leicestershire County Council’s own planning department.

If members approve the scheme, which will link the A606 Nottingham Road to the north of the town with the A606 Burton Road to the south, it could be open to traffic as early as 2022.

In the meantime, County Hall’s environment and transport department is organising information drop-in events at Melton Borough Council’s Parkside offices, starting on Monday October 15, from 1.30pm to 8.30pm.

There will be further sessions on Friday October 19, from 1.30pm to 8.30pm, and on Saturday October 20, 10am to 3.30pm.

Plans will be available to view, along with computerised video footage showing a drone following the proposed route.

Back in May, the council received a massive boost when the Department of Transport awarded £49.5m from its Large Local Majors Fund towards the £63.5m cost of the road, which run to the east of Melton, crossing Scalford Road, Melton Spinney Road and Thorpe Road.

Members have subsequently agreed a preferred route for the relief road - which forms the basis of the planning application.

It is hoped the relief road will help tackle congestion, enable housing growth, support business productivity and help people get to work and college

Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Through consultations with landowners, local groups and other bodies, we have worked hard to develop a scheme that brings major traffic benefits to the town.

“We realise that people may have comments or queries about specific aspects of the planning application proposals, and we are happy to try and address these at the drop-in events.

“We would really encourage people to come along.

“However, if you wish to make a formal comment about the planning application these should be addressed to Leicestershire County Council’s planning department.”

Melton Council is also contributing £400,000 towards the road scheme and deputy leader, Leigh Higgins, said: “We worked in partnership with the county council to secure this vital funding.

“Improvements to roads and transport are key to the future prosperity of the town and surrounding areas.”

Updates on the scheme are available to view at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/mmdr with a link provided to the planning portal where the application will shortly be ready to look at.

The county council will have officers at the drop-in events to provide more detail on various aspects of the proposals, which includes a realignment of a stretch of the River Eye and a section of road between Scalford and Melton Spinney Road roundabouts.

There will also be drone footage showing a visualisation of the road.

Work on the relief road is set to start in 2020 if planning approval is given.