CONSTRUCTION work on the new A500 Basford-Hough-Shavington bypass is set to start, this Summer.
Scheduled to open in Autumn 2003, the four and a half mile road is expected to cut approximately 80 per cent of through traffic through the villages.
The £28 million contract has been awarded to John Mowlem and Co plc which has already begun design work with contractors due on site during the next few months providing no restrictions are enforced as a result of the Foot and Mouth crisis.
Highways Agency project manager Bob Clarke said: "The new road will make the villages a better place to live, by removing the bulk of the through traffic including the majority of heavy goods vehicles."
Advance work has already begun to minimise effects on wildlife with the clearing of trees and shrubs to ensure habitats of birds, bats, newts and badgers are not disturbed.
"As work progresses we will take measures to blend the bypass into the existing landscape," added Mr Clarke.
"Wildlife will be fully protected while work is carried out and new habitats created."
BY TOBY ROBINSON
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