A53 Hodnet Bypass

On 10 September 2003 the £14 million Hodnet Bypass was opened.

The scheme benefited from strong local support. A substantial amount of effort has been put into public liaison throughout the delivery of the project. Public exhibitions, press days and attendance at Hodnet Parish Council meetings have helped to deliver a project with few complaints.

Technical summary

The scheme is 6.61km long, (approximately 4 miles) and provides a complete bypass of Hodnet and Wollerton together with the improvement of the remainder of the A53 to where it meets the A41 at Ternhill roundabout.

The bypass leaves the existing A53 alignment south west of the village of Hodnet and runs in an easterly direction to a new roundabout junction with the A442 from Telford. The roundabout also provides a new road link into Hodnet for local traffic. From the roundabout, the bypass continues eastwards before swinging northwards and descending into the valley of the River Tern. The bypass crosses the River Tern twice, close to Wollerton and south west of Tern Hill. The bypass rejoins the existing alignment of the A53 approximately 800 metres south west of Tern Hill roundabout on the A41.

The bypass is a single carriageway with hard strips for use in case of emergencies. A sealed road drainage system provides protection to the underlying aquifer. Two structures were constructed in concrete where the bypass crosses the River Tern. To reduce the risk of pollution from accidental spillage the water draining from the bypass discharges into four balancing ponds before entering the existing watercourses.

Environmental objectives

Protection and enhancement of the environment are key objectives of the scheme and the project is considered to be at the “cutting edge” of environmental enhancements. Noise levels from traffic will be minimised by the provision of a low noise surface, with noise barriers in the form of earth mounds and fencing these will provide a benefit for local residents and road users alike.

Wildlife has been protected by special views from Wollerton fencing and the provision of culverts to allow animals to cross under the road. New habitats have been provided including wetlands, wildflower meadows and heathland. Over 100,000 native trees, shrubs and hedging plants, are already being grown for the project from locally collected seed and cuttings. Water resources, both rivers and underground, will be protected by means of a sealed drainage system. The drainage outfalls to specially constructed ponds which will both balance the flow and help to settle out impurities. The ponds will be planted to create further wetland habitats.