MP JACK Lopresti’s plans for a Winterbourne bypass could mark an exciting new chapter for the area.

It’s good to see that Mr Lopresti has been keeping an eye on funding opportunities and is intent on making sure that Winterbourne and the wider area stand to benefit from the government’s new Transport Investment Strategy.

This multi-billion pound road cash pot is set to be funded by Vehicle Excess Duty and it marks the first time councils will have access to central government money to spend on roads outside the motorway network.

Essentially it will focus on local roads that have been adversely affected by heavy traffic flow. Winterbourne and the surrounding area seem to fit the bill perfectly.

Cllr Colin Hunt, executive member for planning, transport and strategic environment at South Gloucestershire Council, has been seeking a solution for the traffic congestion for a quarter of a century.

He has, therefore, some well thought out ideas, which could dovetail very nicely with those of Mr Lopresti.