A NEW multi-million pound congestion-busting link road aimed at boosting the Wyre Forest economy in Wyre Forest has opened this afternoon (Monday).

The new £16m Hoobrook Link Road opened at around 2pm on Monday (September 19), along with both Worcester Road and Stourport Road junctions.

The new road provides a vital link to the highway network from the A451, Stourport Road, through to the A442, Worcester Road.

The scheme also includes the construction of a bridge across the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and River Stour. The bridge has been designed to be sympathetic to the visual setting of the canal corridor, which is a designated conservation area.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: “The new link road will reduce existing traffic congestion in the area, which we know is a barrier to economic growth.

“It will also enhance the economic potential of the wider Wyre Forest area by making it more accessible to existing businesses and more attractive new employers.”

The £16m scheme has received funding from several sources, including the Department for Transport, the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Worcestershire Growth Deal, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council.

The county council’s planning and regulatory committee approved plans for phase two of the Hoobrook Link Road development in February 2014. The scheme was developed in consultation with Wyre Forest District Council and work began in May 2015.

Councillor Marcus Hart, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, added: “The completion of the link road is great news for the local area and will contribute to the continued regeneration of the Wyre Forest district.

“The road has also provided access to land which has enabled the construction of the recently opened leisure centre and a number of new homes.”

The Hoobrook Link Road is situated within the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park, which is one of the county’s four key employment sites. The new road will improve accessibility to this park and the surrounding areas.

It will also facilitate the regeneration of the existing Hoobrook Industrial Estate and unlock the development potential of phase two of the former British Sugar site.

Residents are advised that some traffic management will be in place during the next few weeks as construction workers remain on site to carry out final minor works to the scheme.