The Department of Transport has approved funding of £16 million for the Ely Bypass.

The Ely Bypass, which has been in the pipeline for around a decade, would significantly improve delays on the A10 and around Ely. The reduction in congestion would bring huge benefits to those who use these busy main roads, cutting travel time and improving transport links in the area.

Last July, concerns were raised that the scheme would face delays following the ‘retention’ of the scheme by the Department of Transport. Local MP, Lucy Frazer, arranged a meeting with the Minister for Roads in Westminster and was assured that the retention of the scheme would not result in delay to the scheme. Since then, the Council has obtained legal permissions and has completed the first stage of the public procurement process.

Ms Frazer, Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council have continued to work closely together at each stage of the project to ensure that it progresses as soon as possible. Last month the County Council submitted its business case to the Department of Transport for funding approval. To ensure that funding approval was obtained, Ms Frazer held a number of meetings with Robert Goodwill MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, and Andrew Jones MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Department for Transport. 

On 11 July, Ms Frazer received confirmation from the Minister of State announcing that he was now awarding funding approval to the Ely Southern Link scheme. There are further hurdles yet to cross as a detailed design is now due to start but the project remains on track.

Ms Frazer said, “I have overseen great progress in the Ely Bypass project since becoming the MP for South East Cambridgeshire, and I’m very pleased by the announcement of the most recent developments today. It is clear that both the Department for Transport and the County Council are working hard to keep to the projected timetable, and the next step is for a detailed design to be approved. I want to assure local residents and businesses that I will continue to work together with the Department and County Council to ensure the Ely Bypass is completed as quickly as possible, and I look forward to seeing further developments in the project.”