VITAL funding to replace Evesham’s ailing Abbey Bridge was secured this week after the Chancellor announced the project will receive £8.6m In his autumn statement on Tuesday, George Osborne confirmed the funding earlier than expected as a decision had been due in late December.

Evesham town councillor and county council Cabinet member for highways John Smith said: “This is absolutely fantastic news, it’s difficult to stress just how important getting this money is for the future of the town and the area.

“The alternatives to replacing the bridge - decreasing weight limits and eventual closure - would have had such a negative impact. Thankfully, that looks to have been averted.

“It’s fair to say this feels like an early Christmas present, but we recognise that the hard work has to continue to ensure people are kept informed and disruption is kept to a minimum.”

Worcestershire County Council had already started the tendering process and an announcement on this is expected over the next few weeks.

All five tenders have identified a shorter time frame for completion of the rebuilding work, less than the 12 months originally anticipated, and construction is expected to start in 2013.

County councillor for Evesham South Bob Banks said: “This is very welcome news for the future prosperity of Evesham and its business community.”

The total cost of the project is yet to be confirmed but believed to be in the region of £12.6m. Worcestershire County Council will invest £4m while the remainder will be provided through a grant from the Department for Transport.

The town’s MP Peter Luff said: “This is a moment to celebrate, Evesham no longer faces the threat of slow strangulation and can plan its future with confidence, as well as the alternative traffic arrangements that will be needed.

“I will be urging both County and Wychavon to be as imaginative as possible to ensure traders and local people can lead their lives as normally as possible during this period.”