THE second phase of multi-million pound plans for a new link road in Kidderminster is a step closer after being approved by Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet.

The authority has given the green light to forge ahead with the £12.4 million phase two of the Hoobrook Link Road.

The scheme will provide a link from the A451 Stourport Road over the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and River Stour, through to the A442 Worcester Road.

Phase one of the link road – a 600 metre-long single carriageway – is currently under con - struction.

Council bosses believe the new road will have a significant impact on the local economy, reducing existing congestion on the Kidderminster ring- road junctions and im - prove access to the town centre.

Funding for the project has come from several sources, including the Department for Trans - port, following a successful bid from the county council, the Worcestershire Local Transport Body and Wyre Forest District Council.

Once approved, construction on the scheme is planned to begin in the spring of 2015. A planning application was submitted in October and a decision is ex - pected in the new year.

Conservative Simon Geraghty, the county council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy, skills and in - frastructure, said: “ Cabinet approval allows us to take a step closer to - wards ensuring the area is ‘Open for Business’.

“Phase Two of the Hoobrook Link Road is of huge importance, not only for Kidderminster and Wyre Forest but also for Worcestershire.

“Connecting these two employment corridors will promote economic growth, while, at the same time, cutting congestion and improving access to Kidderminster town centre.”

The agreed route alignment of the link road runs eastwards from the Saint Francis Group development roundabout, previously the British Sugar Site,  across the canal and river through a new bridge before ty - ing in with an existing local access road for the industrial site.