East Riding of Yorkshire Council has awarded the main construction contract for the planned Howden relief road scheme to Aureos, the company previously known as Keltbray Infrastructure Services until its private equity buyout last year.
The Howden relief road is a link road between the A614 Thorpe Road and Station Road (B1228), together with four roundabouts, on what is currently farmland. It is designed to reduce congestion by diverting heavy traffic away from the town centre.
Aureos starts work on the new road at the beginning of July and it is scheduled to take two years to complete.
The relief road forms part of a broader planning application for the site by JG Hatcliffe Associates to develop a new area north of Howden for mixed residential and commercial use 鈥� including houses, services, businesses and green spaces 鈥� which is included in the East Riding local plan as HOW-G.
Preparation works, which began in July 2024, included the creation of access roads and a compound pavement for the new contractor, as well as alternative access for local farm traffic.
The relief road project is being funded through a mix of developer contributions and council funding via Invest East Yorkshire, including a 拢2m devolution grant and a 拢1m local transport grant.
Councillor Gary McMaster, the council鈥檚 cabinet member for planning, housing and infrastructure, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely pleased we have now awarded this contract and that work will soon begin on this transformational project for Howden. This relief road will significantly improve connectivity and ease congestion, giving HGV traffic a different route to avoid the town centre, for the benefit of both motorists, residents and businesses in Howden.
鈥淟ocal officials have expressed optimism about the project's impact and its role in boosting the region鈥檚 development.
鈥淭his initiative is part of wider aspirations to enhance infrastructure in Yorkshire and the Humber, ensuring smoother transportation and grow the economy.鈥�
Louise Pavitt, managing director of Aureos Highways, said: 鈥淭his project is a critical step towards economic development in the region and will provide much needed highways improvements, opening up new routes and easing congestion.
鈥淲e are proud to contribute to vital infrastructure delivery across the UK, with the Howden scheme further strengthening our major highways delivery portfolio."
Works on the scheme will start on the Thorpe Road side of the site and move west towards Station Road, although the contractor will be working in all areas, including working on a new pump station for surface water to the south of the site to improve drainage.
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