And it came tp pass..

AFTER 70 years of waiting, and the spending of £43 million, the first vehicles rolled down the Baldock bypass on Thursday. Moments earlier Herts County Council chairman Cllr Brian Hammond cut a ribbon with six-year-old Kiera Brunton, whom he had picked out of the crowd to help in the ceremony. Before opening the 6.3km stretch of road, Cllr Hammond said: "This bypass is an important strategic link and while the weather may be cloudy, here in Baldock it's a lovely day. "We are here for a great day in this part of the country. It's a great day for the people of Hertfordshire, but most of all, it's a great day for the people of Baldock." As the ribbon dropped to the ground there was a roar from the assembled crowd, who had braved the bitter cold for the historic occasion. As construction workers and councillors clapped and the pupils from 10 specially invited schools waved flags and shouted, the road was cleared for the first vehicles to pass through. Headed by police cars, a line of cars, lorries and buses were the first to use the bypass, which was completed eight months ahead of schedule. Cllr F John Smith, the leader of North Herts District Council, said: "I'm absolutely delighted. It's come in months ahead of schedule, and it is a really remarkable development." It is thought the bypass will reduce traffic through Baldock by as much as 69 per cent. Currently 22,000 vehicles a day pass through the town centre.