STROUD MP Neil Carmichael has welcomed the news that the 'missing link' scheme on the A417 will receive at least £250 million of Government.

It will connect the two dual carriageway sections near Birdip in Gloucestershire.

The three-mile section of road is the only single carriageway section on this road which links the M4 and M5 motorways.

Work will begin to develop the scheme in the first Roads Investment Strategy which starts in 2015.

The money is a portion of the Government's £15 billion road fund.

It was announced today, Monday, the money will be spent on 100 road improvement schemes and add 1,300 new miles of extra lanes to motorways and A roads.

Mr Carmichael said: “One of my priorities has been to improve rail and road links for residents of the Stroud Valleys and the Vale.

"In a survey of 10,000 Stroud residents this year sorting out the “missing link” at the Air Balloon roundabout was the top priority in feedback about local transport issues.

"I’m delighted that our campaign, together with Gloucestershire County Council has been successful and the funding now secured."

The A417 is vital to the local economy, but for years the Air Balloon roundabout hasn’t been able to cope with the number of vehicles using it.

This had a big impact on Stroud, whose local economy has suffered as businesses and motorists have both struggled with unnecessarily long journeys."