Client: Roxhill Developments/SEGRO

The Kegworth Bypass is a key infrastructure project that was completed in 2018 as part of the wider East Midlands Gateway development. This 1.7 km bypass was designed to divert traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles, away from the historic village of Kegworth, reducing local congestion by around 60%.

The project includes a 1,200-tonne bridge over the M1, which plays a critical role in linking the A453 and A50, facilitating smoother traffic flow in the area. These improvements have helped restore a more peaceful, village-like atmosphere in Kegworth, after decades of campaigning by local residents.

Services we provided

Civil & Infrastructure Engineering
Transport Planning & Traffic Engineering
Water Engineering & Flood Risk

Our Role

BWB was responsible for the transport and infrastructure design of the Kegworth Bypass, providing detailed highway designs and an earthworks strategy that minimised visual intrusion and ensured a balanced cut-and-fill approach. This design minimised the need for additional lorry movements and reduced environmental impact.

Drainage strategy

Given the bypass’s proximity to flood-prone areas, we developed a drainage strategy to mitigate potential flood risks and maintain road integrity during extreme weather events. Our drainage design included dry-flowing attenuation basins to discourage nesting birds and minimise risks of bird strikes for approaching aircraft.

Active travel

Our team also provided a new footway and cycleway along the bypass, creating over two miles of active travel routes as part of the wider East Midlands Gateway project. This addition completed the missing link in the cycle route between Loughborough and Castle Donnington, promoting sustainable travel options for local communities.

Challenging location

The project faced several challenges due to its location within the flight path of East Midlands Airport (EMA). At its westernmost point, the bypass was located just 20 metres below the flight envelope. Height restrictions were imposed, banning crane use during construction and limiting the height of lighting columns and signage. Our team developed design solutions that adhered to these restrictions while maintaining the road's functionality and safety.