THERE is deep unease over gridlocked progress to improve one of Worcester’s main arterial roads, according to parish councillors.

St Peter’s Parish Council wants a guarantee that any dualling of the congested A4440 – known as the southern link road – would occur to the south of the existing road, not the north.

That would mean starting work off of Broomhall Way running up to the Norton roundabout, not on the opposite side so it encroaches into the countryside.

It also wants politicians to increase their efforts to secure funding for a major upgrade before too many new houses are built nearby.

Although dualling of the link road has been a priority for transport chiefs for many years, no government funding is in place for it and no dates have been set.

The parish council is concerned the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), a housing blueprint for the county, will put too much pressure on St Peter’s without radical road improvements.

Ross McFarlane, parish council chairman, said: “The parish council continues to seek assurances from our MP, councillors and officials at the city and county councils that the eventual dualling of the A4440 occurs to the south of the existing road rather than encroach on our green space. However, their lack of commitment to this is deeply troubling.”

County Hall has committed £1.3 million on improving traffic flow at Whittington roundabout. The Norton roundabout has also been improved, while consultations will start in the autumn over spending up to £8 million on congesting-busting measures at the Ketch roundabout.

But any dualling of the A4440 to take in Carrington Bridge is believed to be way off due to the high costs.

The SWDP, which allocates land for more than 23,000 homes by 2030, suggests about 2,500 properties can be added to St Peter’s.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, deputy leader of the county council and the cabinet member responsible for the economy, said: “Back in December we got £14 million from the Government for transport improvements and we’ve added to that to bring it to £20 million.

“We know the south of the city suffers from congestion and all those measures will make a measurable difference.

"Improving the southern link road is the infrastructure priority for south Worcestershire, because we realise it has an economic impact.

“When it comes to dualling, the money is not in place and we need to wait until we can bid for more Government cash in the next round of transport improvements.

“We may have to do an element of part-dualling. But we are committed to it.”