The surprise early announcement today, Tuesday, from George Osborne, the Chancellor, of the Exchequer, that Evesham's Abbey Bridge and Viaduct will be rebuilt as part of the new National Infrastructure Plan has delighted the town's MP, Peter Luff.
Commenting on the news, Peter said,
"All of us involved in this project knew we had a really good chance of success, but we had expected the announcement to come later in December as part of the main announcement of local transport schemes.
"Instead the excellent work down by the County Council, which I have been delighted to support, has been rewarded with this early Christmas present for the town.
"Now the council can begin the detailed planning of the construction itself and, just as importantly, of the alternative traffic arrangements that will be needed to reduce the impact of the construction period on the town centre. I will be urging the County and Wychavon to be as imaginative as possible to ensure that traders and local people can lead lives as normally as possible during the rebuilding.
"But this is a moment to celebrate. Evesham no longer faces the threat of slow strangulation thanks to ever reducing weight limits and eventual long-term closure of the bridge and viaduct. The town can now plan its future with confidence.
"And this is the second bit of good road news in two weeks for the town, coming hard on the heels of the solution to the access problems facing Evesham United Football Club. These two pieces of good news should give the town a real boost."