A much awaited multi-million pound plan for a bypass in Woodville looks as though it will finally happen after councillors approved plans for the new road.
The bypass, which has been talked about for 10 years, would take traffic around the Tollgate roundabout which is a notorious bottleneck especially around rush-hour, as it serves traffic heading into Swadlincote, Ashby, Hartshorne and Burton.
At the latest South Derbyshire District Council planning meeting, councillors approved plans for the new £10.5 million road to be built through Woodville and Swadlincote.
Derbyshire County Council is the highways authority and will build the road.
A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: "Now South Derbyshire District Council has approved the planning application we will work with other councils and private partners to develop the funding plan.
"The origins of this bypass scheme come from a need to open up land for housing and employment, but it would also create an alternative route taking traffic away from the busy Tollgate roundabout.
"We don't have a firm construction timetable yet in place but if everything goes to plan we would anticipate work could start in late 2019."
Speaking after the council meeting held at the district council's civic offices in Swadlincote Malc Gee, chairman of Woodville Parish Council, said: "The road is long overdue and we can't wait for work to get started.
"It will hopefully make the roundabout better at Tollgate, which everyone who lives in the area knows can be difficult at the best of times.
"We at the parish council have supported the bypass since day one and we are welcoming the plans with open arms. We're elated!"
The road will link the A511, head through the brownfield Tollgate Park site to the A514. The bypass is an integral part of a bigger plan for area, which includes industry and more 170 new homes. It is estimated that the entire scheme will create around 1,873 new jobs. It also includes 173 new homes. Building the road is due to start in the next three years, although no date has been set as yet.
The funding for scheme is part of a cash boost of £63 million given to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership by the Government. The money was given to the partnership in order to help create jobs, build homes, raise productivity, support businesses and encourage economic growth in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area.
The Woodville Regeneration Route, as the bypass is known, is a widely supported highway scheme which roads bosses says will help the flow of traffic to the south east of Swadlincote, linking Occupation Lane to Swadlincote Road, as well as relieving pressure on the Clock Garage roundabout ,which forms a junction with Burton Road.
No councillors present at the planning meeting opposed the plans and spoke of their support for the move.
Councillor Michael Stanton, who represents Repton, told the meeting: "This bypass has been coming for the 11 years I have been on the council. I would like to say I am looking forward to the relief of congestion at the Tollgate island."
Midway councillor Dr Robert Pearson, said: "Local people have been waiting for this for an awfully long time.
"I am hopeful that this development will see the relief of traffic at the Woodville end, particularly at Tollgate island. I am all in favour of these plans and I am happy they were approved."
Woodville councillor Kim Coe said: "It has been said many times, but this development is long overdue. I am more than happy to support the plans."
Plans include in the for the link road scheme:
A new roundabout located on the common land between the A514 Derby Road and Woodhouse Street.
Two roundabouts within the Woodville regeneration area to give access to adjacent development land.
A new service road fronting on to properties from number to 8 to 38 Derby Road to provide. These are currently accessed from the busy Derby Road, Properties 2, 4 and 6 will be accessed by a dropped kerb driveway along the Swadlincote leg of the roundabout.
Redesigned access to the industrial units at the northern end of Woodhouse Street.
Demolition of one commercial unit.
Improvement to Kiln Way and Derby Road including road widening, enhanced cycleway and improvements to access for existing units.
Suitable drainage systems to manage surface water run-off.
Landscaping and street lighting.
