A major £6.6 million project to cut congestion and improve air quality on one of High Wycombe's busiest roads is set to get underway today after a government cash injection.

The stretch of the A40 London Road from Abbey Way to the M40 junction in Loudwater has resulted in traffic chaos for drivers for years - especially at peak times.

But now, a new multi-million pound plan to improve journey times, cut congestion and improve air quality is set to go ahead.

The work will include improvements to junctions and pedestrian crossings, CCTV and state-of-the-art technology to help traffic flow better, improvements to bus stops and bus lanes and better electronic signage.

It will go ahead after Bucks County Council made a successful bid for cash from the Department for Transport's National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF).

The NPIF funding totals £4.13 million with the extra £2.5 million coming from local transport funding.

London Road was one of 76 schemes nationally to benefit from the NPIF fund announced by transport secretary Chris Grayling last October.

Bucks County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for transportation, Mark Shaw, said the package of measures should bring "noticeable" improvements.

He said: "We all know how busy this stretch of road is, which is why the county council was keen to bid for government money to help sort things out.

"This investment funding will do a great deal to make life better for our residents and businesses and, of course, for High Wycombe itself."

The work that is starting today will focus on site set-up, installation of ducting and other preparation for improved pedestrian crossings, enhanced links between traffic light junctions, and also for variable message information signs.

Drivers are not expected to notice any delays initially because the work will take place mostly on the pavements.

Other works, including junction improvements, will begin next year.