CALLS are growing for a new multi-million pound link road in Worcestershire to ease congestion.

Two MPs are backing the bid for Government funding over Pershore Link Road, which could better connect the town to the A44.

The project has been debated for years and is part of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership's formal blueprint for national funding.

The road, which could cost more than £4 million, is among the LEP 'asks' from central Government under its proposals to grow the economy.

It is hoped that the new road, linking to Keytech Business Park, would help attract more employers to Pershore and ease the strain on the existing network.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said: "This is a much-needed road project that will help Pershore residents and businesses.

"I back this project whole-heartedly and am pleased to see the local authorities putting in a formal bid for funding to deliver it."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston said: "Like Harriett, I have had constituents raising their concerns about increasing congestion and as welcome the strategic attempts to plan for future growth.

"We are keen to back this plan and look forward to pressing the case for further investment in Worcestershire’s major roads in the coming weeks and months."

The LEP is estimating the total cost of upgrading Pershore's infrastructure as £4.8 million, which includes improvements to Pinvin crossroads.

Bosses are hoping that £1 million comes from the private sector in return for allowing new property building in future years under the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

But the pitch to Government ministers estimates that the link road could create 1,025 jobs either directly or indirectly, including construction work and the longer term impact of businesses opening up or relocating nearby due to the improved transport links.

It comes at a time when Worcestershire County Council's leadership is resisting renewed calls to make a bid for funding to complete the link road around Worcester.

The city's north west link road is not part of the LEP's blueprint, known as the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), and will not be considered before 2030.

The biggest part of the SEP is a £63 million proposal to dual Worcester's Carrington Bridge.