Work on Melton Mowbray’s new bypass reached a key milestone this week with the opening of the final two roundabouts on the 7.2km distributor road.

Leicestershire County Council said the A606 Nottingham Road and B676 Saxby Road junctions were completed at the weekend and associated road closures have been lifted, leaving all six roundabouts along the route open to motorists. The road, being built by Galliford Try, is the county council’s largest-ever highways project with a reported budget of £134M.

When finished, the distributor will run from the A606 Nottingham Road near St Bartholomew’s Way in the north, curve round the east of Melton Mowbray and rejoin the A606 near Burton Lazars. The route is intended to allow through traffic to bypass the town centre, easing congestion along existing town streets.

Overview of Melton Mowbray distributor road scheme

Construction began with preparatory work early in 2023 and main construction started in May that year. The county council says the scheme is progressing well and is on track to open to traffic in spring 2026. Some temporary traffic‑calming measures currently remain in place while finishing works are completed.

Planners say the road will provide improved access to new housing sites, local attractions such as Twinlakes Park, John Ferneley College and surrounding villages and include provisions for safer walking and cycling. The distributor is part of a wider strategy by the council to unlock housing and economic development in Melton Mowbray that has been constrained by traffic issues.

As the scheme nears completion, local residents will be invited to suggest a name for the new road, details of which are due to be announced later in the year.

Supporters of the project point to reduced town‑centre congestion and improved road safety as likely benefits. Critics have previously raised concerns on environmental impact and the effect of new road capacity on traffic levels; such considerations form part of the ongoing public debate about how best to balance development, transport and conservation in and around Melton.

With the final roundabouts in place, attention will turn to the remaining construction phases and the council’s measures to tie the new route into existing local roads and active‑travel networks before full opening next spring.

Leicestershire County Council lead member for roads and transport Charles Whitford said: “The completion of these final roundabouts is a major milestone and I’m proud to see this large-scale county council project reach its final stages.

“We look forward to early 2026, when the road opens fully to motorists.

“I’d like to thank local residents for bearing with us during road closures which were necessary to complete the project safely.”

Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here.