Green light for new relief road

Final approval has been given for a new road to be built in south Birmingham, which is aimed at cutting congestion.

The £49m Selly Oak New Road is to be built to the west of the A38 Bristol Road and the centre of Selly Oak.

It is hoped the new 2.5km (1.6 mile) stretch of single-carriageway road will cut traffic on the A38 by 50%.

The new road, which was provisionally approved in 2001, would improve the quality of life in Selly Oak, said Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

"The Selly Oak New Road is a very important scheme both in aiding major regeneration developments and in helping to revitalise Selly Oak as a local retail centre," he added.

The government has pledged £21m towards the cost of the scheme, with the balance coming from other contributors.