WORK is set to begin on a multi-million pound project to build a bridge over the King’s Dyke crossing, Whittlesey.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s cabinet instructed officers at a meeting on Tuesday to start looking in to developing a jointly funded scheme with Network Rail which could lead to a bridge over the crossing within three years.

The bridge, anticipated to cost £10-15million, is seen as a solution to severe traffic problems in and around Whittlesey caused by the crossing.

Whittlesey County Councillors Ralph Butcher and Martin Curtis both welcomed cabinet’s decision.

They said: “We are delighted that the County Council has found a solution and today’s decision is the trigger for the work to identify the best way to end the traffic problems caused by this crossing in and around Whittlesey and the surrounding area.

“The delays at this level crossing are having an impact on economic and community growth in Whittlesey and a knock on effect for drivers travelling to an from Peterborough on a daily basis.”

Currently about 100 trains a day use the line and this could increase to 244 trains daily by 2031.

In addition 11,000 vehicles use the A605 at King’s Dyke daily and long tailbacks build up regularly when the crossing barriers are down.

During winter months the problems caused by the level crossing are made worse when the alternative route to Peterborough via the B1040 is closed because of flooding.

The County Council will provide up to £10million towards the cost of the bridge.