Weston Hills Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Weston Hills Tunnel is a 230m twin road tunnel
under the Weston Hills near Baldock
in Hertfordshire
. It was constructed as part of the A505
Baldock bypass.
A public inquiry was held in 1995, and in 2002 the government granted permission to build the road. Construction started in April 2004 and the bypass and tunnels opened on 16 March 2006
The bypass as a whole, including the tunnel, cost £43 million.
The tunnel itself was constructed using a cut and cover method, during which the hill was cut away and the concrete tunnel structure then put in place. The hillside was then re-filled in over the top - see Bypass Construction Gallery.
The purpose of the tunnel at this position is to reduce the gradient of the road, and to preserve the visual line of the hills and provide crossing points for wildlife such as deer. The chalk cuttings for the tunnel have since opening become a haven for butterflies which are native to the area.
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
under the Weston Hills near Baldock
Baldock
Baldock is a historic market town in the local government district of North Hertfordshire in the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire, England where the River Ivel rises. It lies north of London, southeast of Bedford, and north northwest of the county town of Hertford...
in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. It was constructed as part of the A505
A505 road
The A505 is an A-class road in the United Kingdom. It follows part of the route of the Icknield Way and the corresponding Icknield Way Path.-Bedfordshire:...
Baldock bypass.
A public inquiry was held in 1995, and in 2002 the government granted permission to build the road. Construction started in April 2004 and the bypass and tunnels opened on 16 March 2006
The bypass as a whole, including the tunnel, cost £43 million.
The tunnel itself was constructed using a cut and cover method, during which the hill was cut away and the concrete tunnel structure then put in place. The hillside was then re-filled in over the top - see Bypass Construction Gallery.
The purpose of the tunnel at this position is to reduce the gradient of the road, and to preserve the visual line of the hills and provide crossing points for wildlife such as deer. The chalk cuttings for the tunnel have since opening become a haven for butterflies which are native to the area.