After years shouting about the need to tackle one of the county's worst accident black spots and bottlenecks - Gloucestershire's 'Missing Link' has at last found some favour with Government.

Both the Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT) are now stepping up their scrutiny of the scheme which aims to improve the A417, which connects the county to Swindon and the M4, and supporting Highways England's work.

Used by more than 34,000 vehicles a day, the route is a key link between the West Midlands and London, but is also known for its long delays and regular accidents.

Gloucestershire County Council has pledged its commitment and nearly 7,000 people and businesses have also voted in favour of the scheme, which is in the hands of Highways England.

Highways England (HE) has been looking at a number of different routes to solve the problem and in March this year they led a consultation with 'route option 30' being their preferred solution.

Now Highways England has said that the project has become a 'Tier 1' scheme, meaning the DfT and the Treasury in Whitehall are now directly involved with the governance and oversight. In short, that means it is now subject to a higher level of scrutiny rather than priority, but it is also being interpreted as a positive sign at this stage.

According to the county council "working more closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Treasury will help ensure that all the potential benefits of the project are realised, and the needs of road users, the environment, the local community and the economy will be carefully balanced alongside affordability and value for money".

Councillor Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for economy, skills and growth said: "I'm delighted to hear that the A417 'Missing Link' has now been promoted to a 'Tier 1' scheme which will mean that central government will be able to use their considerable resources to support Highways England with their work.

"The county council will continue to push for a solution to the A417 'Missing Link' to be built as we see it as a vital part of our county's future infrastructure."

Mark Hawthorne, the leader of the county council, has stated the authority wants any scheme to begin by 2020.

Residents and businesses have been campaigning for more than two decades for something to be done. During the last 15 years, according to the county council, there have been more than 340 accidents, some of them fatalities.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Liberal Democrats, called the development "great news".

"This stretch of road by the Air Balloon Pub provides the major highway link between Gloucester and the South and South East of England, including the most direct route to London," said Cllr Hilton.

"It is congested and hazardous. I can only encourage Highways England to progress the project as swiftly as possible. The proposed new dual carriageway will improve journey times and make the road safer."