Work begins next week on a new £2million road link in High Wycombe, which will form the first part of the “masterplan” to reroute traffic round the town.

The first phase of the project - estimated at £4m - will see a new roundabout junction linking Oxford Road A40 with Westbourne Street. 

Westbourne Street will then be reconstructed to its Baker Street junction and resurfacing will take place on Oxford Road between The Pastures and Bellfield Road.

This will create a new culvert to enable the River Wye to be opened up in the longer term, planting trees and green spaces, and putting in new streetlights and drainage.

It forms part of the Town Centre Masterplan which will eventually give traffic an Alternative Route through the town centre from Oxford Road to Marlow Hill, through the old gasworks site and along Desborough Road, 

And it is hoped that the new route will take pressure off the Abbey Way flyover, after recent maintenance extended its life by between 15 and 20 years.

Penelope Tollitt, Wycombe District Council’s head of planning and sustainability, said: “We are more than aware that town centres are changing and that we need to adapt to ensure future growth and prosperity.

“The Westbourne Street Link road, which is a key part of the Alternative Route around the town centre, is an important part of our joint vision with the County Council to keep High Wycombe town centre a vibrant place that people want to come to and spend time and money in.”

High Wycombe's Masterplan is a joint project between Wycombe District and Buckinghamshire County Councils.

Phase 2 of the Alternative Route, from the southern end of the new Westbourne Street link, along Desborough Road through the old gas works to Marlow Hill roundabout, is expected to start by March 2016.

It aims to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and will pave the way for new development and improvements in the town centre.

BCC Leader Martin Tett said: “We've tendered very robustly to ensure we get best value for money.

“I fully appreciate there will be some inconvenience while work goes on, and I apologise in advance, but I believe the resulting gain will be well worth the pain.”

BCC contractors say the work will take 22 weeks and is due to finish in October.

To see the progress and check for travel disruption visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/hwmasterplan