A LONG-AWAITED Evesham bypass is set to go ahead after Worcestershire County Council received a government windfall of nearly £14m.

The county council has been given a £13.9m grant to spend on its roads and £1m of this will go towards funding the Chadbury to Twyford link, which is expected to cost a total of £3.5m.

About £400,000 will also be put towards the completion of the Wyre Piddle bypass, due to be officially opened tomorrow.

County councillor Clive Holt has fought for 15 years for the 1.7km link, which will replace the Squires as the main connecting road from the A4538 - soon to be the A44 - to Twyford.

He said: "This is excellent news. I am delighted that all the years of campaigning by local residents, our Member of Parliament Peter Luff, district councillor Jo Sandalls, and myself have at last been rewarded.

"We haven't been allocated the other £2.5m yet, but we hope that other money will be forthcoming in the following years to finish the job."

It is hoped that construction work will begin in 2004 and the road should be completed for early 2005.

Councillor Alwyn Davies, responsible for economic development and regeneration, environment and sustainability at Worcestershire County Council, said: "At first glance the figures seem very helpful and I welcome the funding for next year.

"Of course, we have only just received the confirmation and our officers are working hard to translate these numbers into real terms, such as fewer potholes and quicker repairs.

"Last year the council added an extra £1m to the transport budget to support our own priorities and we will be hoping to do this again.

"Unfortunately, the overall Government settlement announced last week means that funds will be tight again, but we have made a commitment to road improvements.

"The Audit Commission report into our highways service was very positive last month, stating that we have excellent prospects for improvement, so with efficient use of the funds we are heading in the right direction."