WORK will start on a congestion-busting relief road in the New Year after the government has agreed £12million funding.The Stowmarket Relief Road will provide a new route for the B1115 on the north-eastern side of the town.

WORK will start on a congestion-busting relief road in the New Year after the government has agreed £12million funding.

The Stowmarket Relief Road will provide a new route for the B1115 on the north-eastern side of the town.

Crucially, the half-mile stretch will provide a bridge over the Norwich to London railway line - removing a level crossing which often delays motorists - and reduce noise and congestion for people living on the current B1115.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton Minister said: “In addition, it will provide local residents with a new direct route between the Cedars Park development area and the town centre, with improved provision for pedestrians and cyclists along the route.”

The Department for Transport will provide £12m, with Suffolk County Council and developers meeting the remainder of the total £21m cost.

The relief road will run between the B1115 Stowupland Road and Gipping Way, passing through the Cedars Park development, Creeting Road, over the railway and River Gipping, connecting to Gipping Way adjacent to Atco Bosch.

Frank Whittle, town mayor, said: “This will be the main artery in the town, it will be our life's blood. It will bring a lot of prosperity allowing business to expand, and new homes to be built.”

Andrew Stringer, a local businessman and Green Mid Suffolk district councillor, added: “For Stowmarket, surrounding villages and businesses this is vital.

“I know firms who calculate they are losing days and days of work time stuck in the congestion. And it pollutes the area, lots of cars and lorries and buses standing idle causes pollution, which not good for people's lungs.”

Suffolk County Council hopes to be in a position to start work in January or February next year, with the scheme expected to be complete during the summer of 2009.