The Highways Agency says it hopes to award the final contract in early May to the Connect Plus consortium which won it last year.

It says the consortium has received confirmation from several banks that they have received credit approval to fund the project. This total now exceeds the amount required, but the agency says it is retaining the government co-funding option in case one or more banks drop out.

‘We expect to start work soon after the contract is awarded,’ said an agency spokesman. ‘We can’t confirm the exact start of works date until we know when final negotiations with Connect Plus and the lenders will be concluded.’

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