The A6 Bypass crossing the footpath from The Hedges (UK2)
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19th August 2001, before the bypass is built ... Footpath Group members walking towards The Hedges and crossing the future route of the bypass Note the fine oak tree in the hedgerow .... |
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The hedge and trees were ripped out in February 2002 in preparation for the bypass construction |
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This is all that remains of the fine oak tree of last year |
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In early May 2002 the footpath is clearly marked across what will be a roundabout. |
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By the end of May 2002 the stakes had been replaced by fencing. |
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Little work was done over the winter and the future roundabout is still a desolate mudheap at the end of April 2003 |
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10 June 2003, and the roundabout is pretty well finished. We has asked for a footbridge here, but the Inspector at the 1992 Public Inquiry did not consider it justified. So in future, pedestrians will have to dice with the traffic - not easy when drivers treat roundabouts as if they are a chicane at Silverstone, and not easy at any time for children and the elderly.
The Rushden Link Road was planned to run from here down to Rushden Station. It is a County Council project, but they failed to find the money to build it at the same time as the bypass. The County Council has now found the necessary funds and construction is due to start in spring 2004. |
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2 September 2003, with traffic using the bypass. |
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Stanwick Road in 1991 at the proposed crossing place of the A6 Bypass.
Members of HFFG and concerned local residents protesting at the lack of footbridges over the bypass |
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The footpath from Elizabeth Way (VC26) in May 2002.
The path has been blocked by the road-builders (the deep excavation for the bypass cutting can be seen here) even though we had been assured that all footpaths could be kept open during construction.
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2nd May 2002: The footpath from Mallard Close (VC28) has been fenced off even though the bypass could be easily crossed at this point. The surveyors seen in the photograph were not aware that a footpath existed. The County Council again brought a planned diversion into use |
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10th June 2003, looking towards Higham from the Glebe Farm side of Stanwick Road.
The new gate for the diverted Mallard Close path, fitted the previous year, can be seen here together with a newly erected fingerpost. The temporary single track for Stanwick Road can be seen on the left of the photograph. The hand-gate was initilly fitted with a latch which had such a strong spring that it was difficult to open. We informed Northamptonshire County Council who replaced it with a different type of latch which is much easier to operate. |
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2 July 2003: The photograph is taken from the Glebe Farm side of the bypass, looking towards Chowns Mill and the Nene Valley.
The first signs of footbridge construction has appeared - excavations and steel reinforcing for the foundations. Rather late when the bypass is due to open next month. |
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7th July 2003, looking towards Chowns Mill from the Glebe Farm side
Rapid progress on the foundations |
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14 July 2003: looking towards Chowns Mill on the Glebe Farm side of the bypass
Shuttering for a support pillar for the footbridge ramps |
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26 July 2003: looking towards Chowns Mill on the Glebe Farm side of the bypass
The support pillar for the footbridge ramp has emerged from its shuttering |
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26 July 2003, Glebe Farm side
Footings for the ramp supports |
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2 August 2003: looking towards the footbridge from Stanwick Road
The bridge sections have arrived on lorries and are being lifted into position by the crane |
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2 August 2003: looking towards the footbridge from Stanwick Road
A closer view of the bridge, with ramp sections waiting to be lifted into position |
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6 August 2003: looking towards the footbridge from Stanwick Road
The ends of the ramps have been constructed, and the approach paths are in preparation |
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6 August 2003: The ramp on the Glebe Farm side
The end of the ramp has sandbags supporting the concrete! |
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6 August 2003: The ramp on the Glebe Farm side
Steelwork supporting the ramp and cross-piece |
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The A6 Bypass was opened to motor traffic on 14 August.
The completed footbridge is seen here on the day of our celebration walk, 20 August 2003. |
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Stanwick Road is no longer a through route for motor traffic |