Once again the issue of a north-south bypass raised its head. Some people welcomed it, but traders were worried that traffic would no longer come through the town centre and they would lose custom. After much debate and discussion in the 1920s, 30s and 50s, the bypass was finally opened in October, 1960.
“The question of the proposed bye-pass road though Stamford affords reason for serious consideration of other matters directly concerned with the welfare and progress of the borough.
In the old coaching days Stamford, by reason of its situation on the main trunk road between London and York, was an important and thriving centre, but with the advent of railways its progress, if not altogether stopped, was seriously impeded in favour of Peterborough, which since, ‘the great iron road’ was laid through that city, has reaped the benefit of enhanced commerce and all that follows in its wake.
To-day the roads are coming into their own once more, and now is the time for Stamford authorities to make every endeavour to regain what the town lost by reason of its isolation by the then modern means of transport.
It is freely mentioned that if the municipality does not carry out a scheme whereby better facilities are provided for the ever-increasing road traffic, the Ministry concerned will build a main road, which in all probability will run some miles west of the town, with the consequent result that Stamford will be once more left ‘high-and-dry’ – with every likelihood of never again having an opportunity of regaining its position.”
The Stamford Mercury, 17th June, 1927.