Mid Suffolk District Council leaders to agree £3m funding for long-awaited route connecting Elmswell to Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds

Leaders look set to approve a £3 million investment in a long-awaited route connecting two villages.

On Tuesday, Cllr Andrew Stringer will ask Mid Suffolk's cabinet members to approve a £3.09 million funding package to deliver a new walking, wheeling and cycling route connecting the villages of Elmswell and Woolpit.

The long-awaited project was initially given the go-ahead by councillors in 2008 but has struggled to get off the ground due to a lack of money.

But thanks to contributions by developers, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the project could be delivered by summer next year.

The council's technical assessment says the project is a key piece of infrastructure as both villages are co-dependent despite being separated by the A14.

It says: "This project is unique — it represents a major piece of infrastructure that will ensure the safety of those using the route at the same time as promoting the use of a sustainable form of travel."

It follows strong community involvement over fears getting around the village carries unacceptable safety risks.

CIL is a charge local authorities can impose on new developments designed to deliver adequate infrastructure to accommodate growth.

The project will receive £398,484 from separate developer contributions due to s106 legal agreements, as well as a further £300,000 from the county council's Local Transport Plan funding pot.

It is hoped the project will address barriers and costs for residents when accessing key services, such as Elmswell railway station and the Woolpit medical centre, as well as reduce emissions and congestion.

On top of this, due to Elmswell Primary School being at capacity, the route will allow for a safe walking and cycling path for children attending Woolpit Primary School.

The project is being designed and delivered by Milestone as a part of their contract with Suffolk Highways, with work expected to start before the end of the current financial year and take up to five months.

Though most of the route is under the control of Suffolk Highways, the county department is engaging with landowners for the section of the route running along Church Road.

Further approval is needed from National Highways for the design of the section covering the overbridge before work can begin.