Client: Galliford Try The Wantage Eastern Link Road (WELR) is a critical infrastructure project aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in Wantage and the surrounding areas. The £10 million road will connect the A417 to the A338, providing an essential bypass route around the town centre and direct access for the Kingsgrove housing development. The road also includes high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities, enhancing local connectivity. This road is a key part of supporting the area’s rapid housing growth and its link to the Science Vale employment centres, ensuring a modern, sustainable transport network for the future. Services we provided Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Transport Planning & Traffic Engineering Water Engineering & Flood Risk Our Role BWB delivered a comprehensive range of services for the Wantage Eastern Link Road project, providing integrated solutions for highway, lighting, and drainage design. Our team was engaged to refine and finalise the initial designs developed by another firm through a gap analysis that identified potential issues and offered solutions. Drainage design Our drainage team worked closely with the existing infrastructure to ensure that the new drainage design linked seamlessly with established systems, reducing the need for extensive additional work. We provided a sustainable drainage strategy that directed water into swales along the road’s edges, which fed into a series of ponds that support local biodiversity. Active travel routes In addition, our design incorporated safe travel routes for various users, including equestrians, pedestrians, and cyclists, ensuring that the new road would be accessible and safe for the entire community. Our designs incorporated a Pegasus crossing that catered to horse riders, pedestrians, and cyclists, ensuring safe passage for all users and promoting sustainable travel. Seamless design The primary challenge of the project was ensuring that our designs seamlessly tied into existing infrastructure, including drainage systems and utility networks. Our team conducted a thorough gap analysis of the initial designs, identified potential risks, and developed solutions to ensure a smooth integration. This approach minimised the need for rework and prevented construction delays.