A series of improvements to a major road have been given business case approval in a bid to cut congestion and improve connectivity.

The improvements scheme, which aims to create a new road alongside the A355 to ease traffic in Beaconsfield Old Town, has been approved by the Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP) following its latest board meeting.

The A355, which runs from Slough in the south to Amersham in the north, through Farnham Common and Beaconsfield, is a major route for traffic heading to and from the M40 at junction 2 and regularly causes chaos for commuters at rush hour.

The section of the road between Amersham and Beaconsfield has now been classed as a ‘priority congestion management corridor’ by Bucks County Council and traffic on the London End roundabout is expected to reduce by 50 per cent after the works are finished, as well as improving safety.

Richard Harrington, chief executive of BTVLEP, said that without improvements, there is also a risk that the county could suffer in terms of transport access across the county.

BTVLEP has allocated £6.05m of its Local Growth Funding for the scheme and construction work is due to start in early 2018.

Cllr Ralph Bagge, leader of South Bucks District Council, said: “This new section of road will improve the flow of traffic heading north/south through Beaconsfield and should relieve the congestion on London End, particularly in the evening peak.

“I am confident that the long-awaited relief road should improve the quality of life for many South Bucks residents and is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work effectively together to benefit residents.”

Inland Homes, who are developing the former MoD site Wilton Park, have already started building their section of the relief road, which will run from the Pyebush Roundabout to the north of the site on Minerva Way, in a bid to reduce pressure on Beaconsfield Old Town.

To view a copy of the Option Assessment Report on the A355 Improvements Scheme, produced for Bucks County Council by Jacobs, go to www.buckstvlep.co.uk/interesting-stuff/research-reports.