AN UNFINISHED road in Yate which was abandoned more than 30 years ago could soon be completed to help ease traffic congestion in the town.

Commonly known as the Road to Nowhere, the partly-built road was started in 1974 to link south Yate with the commuter route of Badminton Road but was shelved the same year amid spiralling steel costs.

Around 1.4km of the 3km link was laid, although the tarmac now needs relaying, and it is still missing a bridge over a railway line which crosses the road used only by dog walkers and TV crews filming popular series Casualty and Broadchurch.

But now Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall has launched a campaign to finish the building work and open the road to provide the missing arterial link in Yate’s infrastructure.

Speaking to the Gazette, he said he was arranging discussions with the Treasury and Department of Transport, where he will be making the case for Yate and he was 'hopeful' of securing the funding.

“The road is symbolic of the feeling that many have shared with me that Yate has been neglected,” said Mr Hall.

“Before I was elected we knocked on doors and the Road to Nowhere came up a lot. There were two main things; public transport and infrastructure in Yate and the feeling that Yate gets left behind and has had no investment.”

The barren dual carriageway, from the Shire Way entrance to Yate Common on the roundabout with Rodford Way to Culvert Avenue, within Badminton Road Trading Estate, is currently marked by huge boulders although many people are thought to be unaware of its existence.

Mr Hall said: “It would really help that part of Yate specifically. It would take a lot of congestion off Westerleigh Road and the Morrisons junction and create a pathway into Yate.

“I want it to be built as soon as possible and think it will be a really good thing to get done.

“It is going to cost millions but I am confident the Treasury will say yes.”

Mr Hall is now in discussions with South Gloucestershire Council and Network Rail over finishing the bridge and funding a feasibility study into completing the road.

Council leader Cllr Matthew Riddle (Con, Severn) said: “I am pleased to be working with a Luke to examine completing the Road to Nowhere.

“This has long been considered ‘unfinished business’ by local people and we are working hard to achieve the aspirations for the future of the town.”

Mr Hall said he was keen to reassure residents that the road would only be finished if Yate Common was protected against future housing development. He also wants segregated routes to be examined as part of any investment.

A name would be decided at a later date with local people being asked for suggestions.