South West bypass gets more funding

The government has confirmed the additional £10.9m of funding necessary for the completion of the third and fourth stages of the South West bypass, contracted to Norwest Holst.

Work on the third (Castle Meads) section will begin in April for Gloucestershire County Council. The section links Llanthony Road with the A417 and includes two bridges and flood alleviation measures. Completion is set for March 2005.

The final Netheridge section will link the bypass to the A38 Cole Avenue Junction. Work on this section will begin once the council has secured the additional £6m needed.

Norwest Holst beat Costain, Alfred McAlpine, Hochtief and Skanska to the deal worth in the region of £18m. C