Construction work has started on the new A5-M1 Link Road in the East of England.

The £162.1m investment in the A5-M1 Link Road Dunstable Northern Bypass will improve the east-west connection between the A5 and M1. A new 2.8-mile two-lane dual carriageway and three new junctions will be built.

Once completed in spring 2017, this Highways Agency project will also relieve congestion and improve safety on the A5.

The A5-M1 Link is part of the government's long-term economic plan which is seeing £24bn of investment during this parliament and the next.

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Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, said: "Infrastructure is a vital part of our long term economic plan to secure a better future for the people of Bedfordshire. The A5-M1 Link road is a great example of how we're delivering projects that will boost growth across the country.

"Businesses and motorists will benefit from our investment and the extra capacity it brings.

"The Highways Agency will build the new dual carriageway to the north of Dunstable, between the A5 (at Thorn Turn, just north of its existing junction with the A505) and the M1 at a new junction 11A (to the south of the existing Toddington Services).

"Three new junctions will be constructed: a roundabout with the A5 at the western end of the link road; a second roundabout will be at the intersection with the A5120 Bedford Road; and a new interchange with the M1 motorway which will be named as junction 11A at the eastern end of the link road."

(CD/JP)