FIVE lucky readers have each won a pair of tickets to attend the opening of the new Baldock bypass today (Thursday). Mr and Mrs Brace of Church Street, Clifton, N Fraser of Orchard Crescent, Stevenage, Dan Green of Church Street, Baldock, Judi Green of Da

FIVE lucky readers have each won a pair of tickets to attend the opening of the new Baldock bypass today (Thursday).

Mr and Mrs Brace of Church Street, Clifton, N Fraser of Orchard Crescent, Stevenage, Dan Green of Church Street, Baldock, Judi Green of Dawlish Close, Stevenage, and Gordon Scott of Hamonte, Letchworth GC, all correctly said the length of the bypass is 6.3km long.

They will attend the official opening and will travel along the newly opened road before being given lunch in a marquee on site.

It was originally thought the transport secretary Alistair Darling MP would open the bypass but he will have to miss the event as he is voting in the House of Commons.

Taking his place will be Bryan Hammond, chairman of Herts County Council, who said he is looking forward to the opening.

He said: "I'm delighted it's about to open after all this time. The idea has been around for about 70 years. It's a great project and is opening six months earlier than planned. There has been a lot of work done.

"My wife and I travelled the route earlier this week, the entire length of the bypass, and we were very impressed with the environmental aspects of it. The tunnel isn't claustrophobic and the arched Weston Hills footbridge was built without too steep a climb so as to accommodate walkers.