Government funding of £70 million has today been announced by Transport Minister Rosie Winterton to allow a new Lincolnshire road scheme that will ensure better links to the rest of Eastern England.

The new A1073 has been given the final go-ahead in order to improve safety and relieve congestion in local communities. It will provide an important strategic link to the East of England and ensure that heavy goods vehicles and other through-traffic are offered a safer alternative to the current narrow and twisting route.

Rosie Winterton said: "It is important for both the safety of local communities and the growth of local businesses that south Lincolnshire is provided with a better strategic link to the East of England than currently exists. That is why I am today pledging to fund the vast majority of the costs needed to construct the new A1073.

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"The Government is today confirming the provision of nearly £70 million for a faster, safer and more environmentally-friendly new route into the East, and returning local roads to local people. It will also allow the construction of local pathways and cycle ways to encourage more walking and cycling, previously made difficult by heavy traffic."

Main works on the new scheme are scheduled to begin next year.

The scheme will run parallel to the existing A1073 linking the A16 near Spalding to the A47 (T) and the A15 (near Peterborough), bypassing a number of local settlements.

The scheme also includes junction improvements, provision for non-motorised users, traffic calming along the existing A1073 and environmental mitigation works.

(JM)