New Bypass Named Pork Pie Way After Public Vote
Pork Pie Way has been selected as the name for Melton Mowbray's new bypass following a public vote.
Leicestershire County Council announced at a ceremony on Thursday that the £131 million road would be named in honour of the town’s renowned meaty delicacy, a speciality of local butchers.
The council conducted a public vote to determine the name, with Pork Pie Way receiving an "overwhelming" 65% of the 3,975 votes cast.
However, the vote sparked controversy when the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) criticised the choice, describing Pork Pie Way as "pig-demeaning" and urging the Reform UK-led council to opt for Vegan Pie Way instead.
Council leader Dan Harrison dismissed Peta's suggestion as "nothing more than pie in the sky thinking."
Sections of the 4.4-mile (7.1 km) route, which runs around the north and east of Melton Mowbray, are scheduled to open in phases, with the entire bypass expected to be fully operational by Monday.
Melton Borough Council leader Ronan Browne commented on the significance of the project:
"This is a defining moment for Melton Mowbray.
"The new road and its name reflect both our heritage, our character and our ambition, giving the town the infrastructure it needs to grow while celebrating what makes Melton Mowbray distinctive and special.
"On behalf of Melton Mowbray, I would like to thank all those involved in making this historic moment a reality."
Harrison highlighted the long-awaited nature of the road:
"It is an absolute honour to mark what is a once-in-a-generation moment for our county.
"This scheme stands on decades of work and has been delivered through some of the most challenging years any major project could face.
"From the Covid‑19 pandemic and global supply chain disruption, to severe flooding and international instability, reaching this point is a huge credit to everyone involved in building the road, and I want to congratulate all those who have worked hard to make this a reality.
"Thank you to local people for their patience and understanding along the way. Today marks the completion of a road that will transform how this area functions and grows for future generations."
Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood attended the ceremony on Thursday and said:
"I was absolutely delighted to be in Melton Mowbray today to mark the opening of Pork Pie Way – a name that embraces the history and heritage of the town – which has been backed by nearly £50 million in government investment.
"It's a proud moment that puts Melton Mowbray firmly on the map, while creating a road that will support new jobs, homes, and opportunities for years to come."
How People Voted
The shortlist of potential names for the road was developed after consultations with local politicians, community representatives, and council officers.
The council described the new road as the largest highways scheme it has ever undertaken, designed to provide an alternative route for traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
Officials added that the bypass will help reduce congestion and pollution in the town centre.
The final cost of the project reached nearly £131 million, almost double the original budget of £63.5 million.
Funding for the scheme was jointly provided by the council, the government, and developers planning to build 4,500 homes in the area over the long term.
The council noted that long-term plans remain for an additional section of the road to extend around the south of Melton Mowbray, although no timeline has been established for this phase.
Currently, the southern extension would be financed through contributions from housing developers and constructed as new homes are developed.
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