Election boost for bypass plan

The campaign for a £75million new bypass to help cut congestion between Stourport and Kidderminster was today boosted by a visit from a leading Tory.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers was in Wyre Forest to discuss the bid for a relief road. A campaign for the route began way back in the 1980s.

Traders and residents have been calling for a permanent solution to the gridlock in the town and for help to boost the economy for more than 20 years.

But due to a lack of funds the scheme has never got off the ground and now calls for the bypass are being renewed. Ms Villiers this afternoon pledged that a Tory Government would look into the bypass plans, but added that it would be "unwise" to make any firm promises.

It is envisaged the relief road would run from the A451 Kidderminster to Stourport road, north of the town, and around the back of Manor Farm.

The road would then cross the Hartlebury and Worcester roads before making use of the old railway line and cross the River Severn near the breakwater before rejoining the A451 in Arley Kings.

Hopes the route would soon become a reality were dashed in 2006 when the Government told Worcestershire County Council funds were not available.

Ms Villiers and Wyre Forest Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Mark Garnier were today holding talks with councillors.

Mr Garnier said: "Every morning, every evening and after school, thousands of people spend hours stuck in traffic in Stourport that backs up as far as the Worcester Road island in Kidderminster.

"It is not just a nuisance for commuters and mothers collecting children, it is having a major effect on the economy. Wyre Forest has world class companies and tourist destinations and needs the infrastructure to keep them profitable."