New £147m dual carriageway should end traffic chaos in UK town but is only 1 mile long
The South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) in Buckinghamshire is set to open in 2026.
A new £147million dual carriageway only one mile long aims to end traffic chaos around a UK town. The South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) in Buckinghamshire is set to open in 2026.
The 1.1 mile dual carriageway will form part of an orbital link road in the county town of Aylesbury. Buckinghamshire Council cabinet members backed proposals in March to spend an extra £33m to address inflation's impact on construction costs and delays caused by the Covid pandemic on the scheme, which had an original £114m price tag.
The road should mean traffic will bypass the centre of the town where 16,000 new homes are due to be built. It is expected to join the A413 Wendover Road, the B4443 Lower Road and the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road, with work already underway.
A Buckinghamshire Council spokesperson said: "Work continues on the Lower Road and Wendover Road Roundabouts. We are also collaborating with Thames Water for them to progress the pipe connections and diversionary works to avoid delays to the SEALR project.
"Construction works on Phase 2 have commenced; archaeological works, topsoil strip and the haul route are complete, and construction of the main works compound is underway."
Built in two phases, the second phase is due to be completed by December this year and the first in two years' time.
In March, Buckinghamshire Council leader, Martin Tett, said the road is of "massive importance" in Aylesbury, adding that getting into and out of the town by car was "horrendous", according to the BBC.
The scheme is being funded by a range of sources, including the local authority, the Department for Transport and Homes England, according to the broadcaster.
However, Buckinghamshire has been involved in talks with the Government over the full financing of the project.
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A statement on the council's website says securing the money has taken longer than expected, but a "substantial portion" of the funding has been given a green light.
The council is also negotiating with landowners to secure the land for the scheme, according to the council statement.
Mr Tett said in March: "The scheme is the lynch pin of the Aylesbury Orbital Link Road strategy, which will reduce the number of vehicles travelling through the town centre.
"It is also a crucial project that will accommodate traffic growth in the future."
