HUGE economic benefits could be triggered in north Suffolk after work finally began on a long-awaited £30million relief road.It is hoped the South Lowestoft Relief Road in Lowestoft – in the pipeline for more than 20 years – will speed up transport links and help attract extra investment.

By David Lennard

HUGE economic benefits could be triggered in north Suffolk after work finally began on a long-awaited £30million relief road.

It is hoped the South Lowestoft Relief Road in Lowestoft - in the pipeline for more than 20 years - will speed up transport links and help attract extra investment.

Work on the road was started yesterday after the Government agreed additional funding for the project last month .

Designed to rid the residential areas around London Road South of heavy traffic, the new road has been backed by Waveney MP Bob Blizzard, Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council.

Waveney District Council leader Mark Bee said: “This comes as a great start to 2005 after so much frustrating delay last year.

“We can now look forward with certainty that this scheme will really deliver economic benefits to our town.”

Mr Bee said the scheme would allow the development of the South Quay area of Lowestoft as well as complementing the Sunrise Scheme project which is regenerating the town.

“We should be excited at the positive benefits that the final scheme will bring,” he said.

Julian Swainson, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for sustainable environment, planning and transport, said: “The improved transport links will bring valuable regeneration opportunities and inward investment for Lowestoft.”

Mr Swainson paid tribute to the work of Waveney MP Bob Blizzard who was a strong supporter of the new road.

“We secured this government funding at a time of tough spending constraints and I am particularly grateful for Bob Blizzard's support of this project.”

The new road has been designed to ease traffic congestion in London Road South and improve the approaches to the Bascule Bridge on the south side of Lake Lothing in Horn Hill, Belvedere Road and Waveney Drive.

The southern end of the scheme will link the Barnby Carlton Colville bypass with a new enlarged roundabout at Bloodmoor Road.

From the new roundabout a new section of road will head northwards to connect with Waveney Drive and the approaches to the Bascule Bridge.

The road has been planned for at least 20 years and in 2003 a public inquiry was held at Kirkley High School, Lowestoft.

When the inquiry inspector approved the project it had been expected that work would have started in June last year.

A group of residents concerned about the environmental impact of the new road were unhappy about how the inquiry was conducted and decided to lodge an appeal at the High Court causing a further delay. When the court action was withdrawn a new start date was set for yesterday and contractors Breheny have begun work on the site, aiming to finish next summer.