A SENIOR Government minister has handed Worcester fresh hopes of a breakthrough in dualling Carrington Bridge - saying he wants to see it happen.

Greg Clark, David Cameron's cities minister, used a House of Commons debate to say the Government realises the importance of making something happen.

As your Worcester News revealed this week, a delegation of Worcestershire decision makers went to London on Tuesday for high-levels talks over finding the estimated £63 million needed to dual it.

Mr Clark, who is science, universities and cities minister, will have a say in any investment because his brief covers economic growth in Britain's regions.

He told parliament an agreement has been struck with Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to carry on with regular dialogue over the bridge until the funds can be secured.

Addressing Worcester MP Robin Walker, he said: "There is no stronger advocate for Worcester than (you).

"He will know that the agreement we have with the LEP mentions the importance of improving the capacity of that road, and there is a commitment from the Government to work with what I call 'local leaders' to advance that."

During the debate Mr Walker urged him to "champion it at the Cabinet table" and asked for Mr Clark to have a meeting with him to discuss it in detail.

Mr Clark told him he would be happy to do so, following the private briefing with roads minister Robert Goodwill at the Department for Transport's London HQ on Tuesday.

Mr Walker said: "We have had some positive commitments to work with the county on the southern link."

The county council has agreed to stump up £7 million towards it if a bid by Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership for £63 million to the Government's Local Growth Fund is accepted.

So far the Government has handed Worcestershire £54 million from the growth fund, which is worth £2 billion a year across England between now and 2020.

Tuesday's talks involved all three south Worcestershire MPs, county council chief executive Clare Marchant, leader Councillor Adrian Hardman and John Hobbs, a director at County Hall responsible for transport and the environment.