Corby link road scheme backed by minister
Plans for the £45m Corby link road in Northamptonshire have moved a step closer.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has given his backing to proposals for the 6.5km (4m) road south of Corby linking the A14, via the A6003, with the A43.
The government will now work with Northamptonshire County Council with final approval expected by the end of 2011.
But another county scheme - the A509 Isham bypass - was rejected.
'Pivotal to economy'
Subject to full approval, it is likely work on the Corby link road will start in 2012/2013.
Leader of the county council Jim Harker said: "The Corby link road project will be pivotal to the economic development in the north of the county.
"The scheme will allow for traffic to be taken away from villages along the A43 and also traffic that would otherwise have gone through Corby."
The government said due to the current financial climate it has decided that the Isham bypass scheme will not be considered for funding until 2015 at the earliest.
Mr Harker said: "Obviously we are very disappointed that the Isham bypass scheme cannot be progressed to the next stage yet, but we do recognise the difficult financial position everyone is facing at the moment."