AMBITIOUS new proposals for a Winterbourne bypass have been put forward this week.

Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti believes that current government policy has created a window for such a project to secure funding.

Mr Lopresti wrote to Cllr Colin Hunt, executive member for planning, transport and strategic environment at South Gloucestershire Council, asking for his backing. He also asked Cllr Hunt to start an application for central government funding to build a Winterbourne bypass.

“In July, it was announced that for the first time central government money will be made available to fund road projects outside of the motorway network.

“I would like to take advantage of this by working with Cllr Hunt and West of England Mayor Tim Bowles and lead the project to what will hopefully be a successful outcome,” Mr Lopresti said.

“Winterbourne would benefit from a bypass as the heavy traffic currently through the village is taking its toll on the roads and I have received numerous letters about the noise this traffic is causing.

“A bypass would alleviate these issues as well as improve travel times and keep road repair costs down by diverting vehicles with heavy loads out of the village.”

Mr Lopresti’s plans echo those of Cllr Hunt, who has been campaigning for measures to alleviate traffic in the area for 25 years.

Cllr Hunt said: “It’s very early days yet - I have only just received the letter from Jack – but I am excited about this.

“It has been an ambition of mine for many years to get a direct road for the M4-bound heavy goods traffic coming out of Yate. I’ve been pushing and pushing and now we’re finally getting somewhere.”

Cllr Hunt has been campaigning for a new motorway junction between M4 Junction 18 and Junction 19 (Junction ‘18a’), to help deviate large vehicles away from Winterbourne, Iron Acton and Latteridge. He now hopes plans for Junction 18A could be incorporated into Mr Lopresti’s bypass project.