A WORCESTERSHIRE politician has spoken of her delight over a £5 million Government fund for Pershore Link Road - 30 YEARS after she started campaigning for it.

Councillor Liz Tucker, who leads the Liberal Democrats at Worcestershire County Council, has been used to playing a long game over the much-needed route.

She has unearthed old campaign leaflets dating back from 1987 and 1988 which even then, highlighted concern about the town's development putting pressure on the roads.

One of her leaflets, dated August 1987, even had a diagram of the area's proposed industrial estate, now the Keytec Business Park, with Cllr Tucker calling Pinvin crossroads "already overloaded".

She insisted a new access road off the B4084 linking the estate with the main road was "the only solution" even back then, urging County Hall to "grasp the nettle" and make it happen to avoid traffic "misery".

As the Worcester News revealed last week a £17.5 million Government award to grow Worcestershire's economy includes £5 million for the link road - half the £10 million needed to make it happen.

Cllr Tucker said: "It's absolutely brilliant news and wonderful to see something we've wanted for so long come towards a conclusion.

"In the early 90s I remember the district council sitting down to look at how we'd help the Pinvin crossroads, but if you go back before that it's been nearly 30 years since we first started calling for this.

"This £5 million will give us the momentum to make this happen and will solve a lot of the traffic problems in the area.

"It goes to show that if you work at something long enough, you will get there in the end."

Councillor Charles Tucker, her husband, said: "You need to play a long game to win these - like the Wyre bypass that took over 20 years to achieve."

At the time the campaign to get Pershore Link Road built was led by Cllr Liz Tucker and fellow Lib Dem Pat Edwards, a district councillor.

Bosses at County Hall, who will have to find the remaining £5 million and secure planning permission, have also hailed the fund.

The new link road will cut through Keytec Business Park and link the A44 directly to the town centre.

Worcester News:

Conservative Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: "It's great news - the scheme will provide a new single carriageway that connects the A44 and B4083 Wyre Road, and modification work to Pinvin crossroads."