Barnet Bypass, EN5

The Barnet Bypass is the northern extension of the 1926-built Great North Way. From Fiveways Corner (Mill Hill), the A41 and A1 continue together as Watford Way to Apex Corner where they separate, with the A41 turning west, and the A1 turning to run straight north as the Barnet Way / Barnet Bypass. This dual carriageway was part of a 1920–4 road improvement programme that was mentioned in parliament in 1928 as being completed by the end of that summer.

This route of the A1 was built to provide a way around busy Barnet – the previous routing – with its difficult hill.

The northbound carriageway passes the entrance to Scratchwood, an area of ancient forest which is now a local nature reserve, then crosses the A411 from Watford to Barnet at the Stirling Corner roundabout.

Past Stirling Corner, the A1 as the Barnet Bypass skirts Borehamwood, before turning northeast and running through open countryside to Bignell’s Corner. At Bignell’s Corner the A1 crosses under the M25 motorway and then follows the Great North Road route, running north to Edinburgh.




2 comments

    • David Lauder on May 23, 2023 at 12:45 pm
    • Reply

    I wonder whether the photo above was building the Rowley Lane flyover in the 1960s or rebuilding it around 1980 after the road deck had been badly damaged by the bucket of an excavator that was being transported southbound along the A1. It looks like a damaged section has been demolished and is being rebuilt. The cars also look more modern than 1960s

    1. I think it must be the flyover myself

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