A NEW road and junction directly linking the A338 Spur Road with the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the Wessex Fields Business Park can now be built.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood had urged Secretary of State James Brokenshire to call in the decision, claiming Bournemouth council was biased as applicant, land-owner and decision-maker.

But the Secretary of State has refused to intervene, a decision welcomed by Bournemouth council leader John Beesley.

Cllr Beesley said: “We are delighted that the Secretary of State has concluded that he need not intervene in this important local issue and we thank him for that.

“Our plans to build a new link road and junction connecting the A338 with the Wessex Fields Business Park and the Hospital are already supported by central government funding and will provide a much needed second access to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, unlock a major economic development site, as well as ease congestion in the future.

“We can now finally get on with building this much needed scheme providing a major boost to the local economy.”

Earlier this month a number of local residents contacted the Daily Echo to say that a large amount of earth was being shifted in the area.

They were under the impression work had commenced on the road and junction before permission had been granted.

But project manager Ian Price said the work was part of road widening as part of the ongoing A338 roadworks.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, portfolio holder for the Economy, added: “To get the final go-ahead is fantastic news. The investment will support the creation of around 2,000 new jobs at Wessex Fields Business Park, safeguard the existing 10,000 jobs in the area, as well as provide a much needed second access to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site.”

The application has already been subject to public consultation and was approved by Bournemouth council’s Planning Board in January.

It has been backed by both the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the Local Enterprise Partnership who say it will alleviate congestion at the hospital and enable the area to reach its full economic potential.