News that improving the congestion blighted A47 Guyhirn roundabout has been made a priority by the Government has been welcomed by Cambridgeshire County Council and Fenland District Council.

Councillor Ralph Butcher, Fenland District Council’s cabinet member responsible for transport, said: “The announcement is really good news for the A47 Alliance and for Fenland.

“Improved transport infrastructure is vital for business growth and the whole Fenland economy. Although there is still a long way to go, this is a good start. We will continue to press hard for more funding for other key improvements, such as the re-opening of the rail link from Wisbech to March.”

About 20,000 vehicles use the A47 trunk road between Guyhirn and Wisbech every day and congestion on this route, particularly at peak times, acts as a barrier to development and jobs.

A larger junction linking the A47 with the A141 at Guyhirn will reduce lengthy delays.

Improvements to Guyhirn roundabout are included in £300million of A47 upgrades announced by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The roundabout is one of several priorities listed for the A47 under the £15billion Highways Agency Road Investment strategy.

Cambridgeshire County Council, which is part of the A47 Alliance, has campaigned with Fenland District Council, Peterborough City Council, Norfolk County Council and MP Steve Barclay for the upgrade.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Ian Bates, chairman of the economy and environment committee, who also represents the county on the A47 Alliance, said: “Anyone who has driven on the A47 knows just how congested it and how vital the route is to the prosperity of Peterborough, Fenland and beyond.

“I, with partners, have made the case to Government and ministers and it is pleasing to see they have listened and recognised the importance of this link.

“Improving the A47 is also part of the Wisbech2020 Vision and will help bring jobs as well as provide an easy and direct route for trade in and out of the Fenland area.”

The council is undertaking a feasibility study into the cost benefits of improving the A47 from Wisbech to Peterborough, which will help set out the grounds for further government funding for the trunk road.

Mr Barclay, who is pushing for dualling of the A47 between Wisbech and Thorney, said: “It is great the government has announced such a massive investment in the country’s roads and that the Guyhirn roundabout will be improved to help traffic flows.

“This is welcome in its own right but also needs to be used as a step towards the strategically critical dualling of the A47 from Wisbech toThorney, which is essential for the area’s economic growth.

“We still need more investment in our infrastructure. Getting the A47 dualled between Wisbech and Peterborough is essential for this area’s future economic growth.”