Graham picked for big ticket Little Hadham bypass scheme

Hertfordshire County Council has picked GRAHAM as the preferred contractor for a £30m bypass and flood alleviation scheme.

The council said it has worked with the Environment Agency to develop the A120 Little Hadham Bypass and Flood Alleviation Scheme. As part of the planned 3.9km northern bypass of the village, new road embankments along the River Ash and Albury Tributary will act as flood defences to reduce the flood risk to the village.

According to the council’s website, the construction cost for the project is expected to be about £30m, the largest chunk of which will come from the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which has been granted approximately £27.4m by the Government.

Phil Bibby, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: ‘The A120 is a vital link in Hertfordshire and with traffic on the county’s roads predicted to increase up to 20% over the next 15 years it’s important that we invest in improving the route.

‘The bypass and flood alleviation scheme will help support the growth we’re expecting in the county while improving quality of life in the Little Hadham area.’

Leo Martin, managing director for GRAHAM’s civil engineering division, said: ‘We will be adopting a collaborative approach that will help us minimise disruption during construction works.

‘Our team is vastly experienced in completing complex highways projects throughout the UK and we expect to deliver a new bypass of the highest standard that residents in the area can be proud of.’

Subject to final approvals the contract is expected to be signed in April.