HOPES of dualling Worcester's congested Carrington Bridge have moved a step closer - with the hunt launched to find a firm to build it.

Worcestershire County Council has published an 'invitation to tender' over the massive £70 million project, inviting third parties to make bids.

The move is a serious sign of confidence at County Hall, which needs around £63 million of funding from central Government to get it done.

As the Worcester News revealed earlier this year, after months of painstaking work a draft business case has been submitted to Whitehall over the bridge dualling after ministers signalled they were taking it seriously.

By inviting to tender, the council is asking third party suppliers to get in touch over helping the overhaul become a reality.

The Conservative leadership said it aims to award a contract early next year, moving quickly in the expectation the Government will cough up the cash despite the huge sums involved.

If the money is awarded, it will see the A4440 dualled all the way from the Ketch island to Powick Hams junctions, including the derided bridge, transforming the entire route.

It is known as 'phase four' of the existing £41 million Southern Link Road dualling, which is due to be complete by November or December 2018.

But the Carrington Bridge will be the missing piece in that jigsaw unless the extra money is forthcoming.

Cllr Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: "This scheme is one of the largest infrastructure improvements in the county for decades. "Phase 4 will complete the dualling of the Southern Link Road from Powick Hams to Whittington.

"This will bring numerous benefits to motorists, residents and businesses.

"Most significantly this includes reducing travel times and improving access to areas to the west of Worcester, which in turn will stimulate the growth of Worcestershire's economy."

The dualling of Carrington Bridge, which was built in 1984, has the strong backing of business leaders across Worcestershire and Herefordshire as well as all six MPs and council chiefs.

We revealed last year how around 30,000 vehicles use the route each weekday, with crippling congestion at peak times.

Former Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the Carrington Bridge last year, saying the dualling is a project the Government is prepared to look at.

Around £7 million of the £70 million has been put aside already, with the bid drawn up between Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership and the county council.