WORK looks set to start on one of Plymouth?s major traffic bottlenecks following the agreement of a Government funding package worth £11-million.

The A386 Tavistock Road at the northern end of the city has been a logistical nightmare for motorists and roadworkers alike due to its proximity to housing estates, public amenities and Plymouth Airport.

New plans for the road suggest it will be widened and re-routed with the three major junctions around the George Hotel being replaced by a solitary interchange.

Plymouth City Council?s A386 Northern Corridor public transport scheme has received confirmation of the £11-million grant from the Department of Transport as well as £4.6-million which the South West Regional Development Agency agreed to contribute three years ago ? the total cost of the scheme is put at more than £16-million.

Work on the A386 will include creating extra space around the airport in order to increase the runway safety area ? this would otherwise have to be limited under new international safety rules resulting in changes to operational flights.

The scheme will also create a 450-space park and ride, intended to be built on land to the north of the realigned Plymbridge Road which will be served by a separate signalled junction.

The A386 realignment is expected to take nine months with some improvements to the airport completed by the end of this summer.