THE new £16million Hoobrook Link Road, built to boost Wyre Forest’s economy and cut congestion, was officially opened by district MP Mark Garnier today (Friday).

The road, which provides a vital link to the highway network between the A451 Stourport Road and A442 Worcester Road, was opened to motorists in September, 18 months after planners gave the scheme the go-ahead.

Investors, including representatives from Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, gathered on the newly constructed bridge over the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and River Stour, as Mr Garnier unveiled a plaque to mark the road’s official opening.

Mr Garnier said: “This is long overdue. It’s been a long time since we last had some infrastructure investment in Wyre Forest. I think it was my former colleague Anthony Coombs who was the last Member of Parliament to open any infrastructure, which was Bewdley Bypass back in 1987, so it has been a long time so it is very good to see some more money being spent on the infrastructure here.

“It is incredibly important that we get this sort of infrastructure here in order to free up the whole of the Wyre Forest. This is huge, as it means we can bring in more businesses, more jobs, more skills and more opportunity. Infrastructure is absolutely everything.”

Hoobrook Link Road is expected to create around 258 new jobs and up to 30,000 square metres in commercial floor space, having already improved access to nearby employment and housing land.

The road is situated within the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park – one of the county’s four key employment sites. It is hoped the road will also regenerate the existing Hoobrook Industrial Estate and unlock development potential on the former British Sugar site.

Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “We are very proud of this new link road which is already making a positive impact on traffic movement around the town and creating access for further development at Silverwoods.”

He added: “Residents and business owners can be assured that we will continue our drive to make Wyre Forest a great place to live, work and visit.”

The scheme was also funded by the Department for Transport and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise.

To watch a video of the official opening, click here.