Business leaders have welcomed news that work is to begin on improving road connections around the Ransomes Europark in Ipswich.

The project is seen as an early success for the No More A14 Delays in Suffolk campaign launched earlier Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to highlight the need for upgrades a 12 spots along the key east-west route.

Works in Nacton Road and Ransomes Way are due to start shortly and to run for 20 to 22 weeks.

Peter Johnson from Ipswich Chamber of Commerce, which is part of Suffolk Chamber, said: “The announcement and release of over £1million to start work on the infrastructure serving Ransomes Europark is great news.”

Ian Twinley, chairman of motor dealershiop group John Grose, which is based on the business park, added: “Firms, their staff and their customers are too often caught up in traffic at busy times of the day. This has a knock on effect on the day-to-day operations of business. It is credit to the chamber of commerce, business groups and local authorities that we will now see this much needed work get underway.”

The No More A14 Delays in Suffolk campaign was launched in March, with support from business leaders, local authorities and MPs.

Funding for the Ransomes Europark work has come via Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council from a developer as a condition of planning consent.

James Finch, county council cabinet member for highways and transport said: “The county council is fully behind the No More A12 Delays campaign as we are passionate about businesses and visitors accessing the county quickly and easily to invest in Suffolk.”

Phillip Smart, borough council portfolio holder for transport, added: “The releasing of this money is great news and will make a real difference to the local Ipswich economy. It shows that local businesses working with local decision makers can make a real difference to the business environment.”