BIDDULPH MP Charlotte Atkins is to team up with regeneration leader John Wakefield to help mark an historic day for the town.

Mrs Atkins and Cllr Wakefield have been invited to cut the first sod to mark the start of work on the long-awaited Biddulph Bypass.

The sod-cutting ceremony is due to take place next Thursday to launch construction of the £10.8 million project.

Cllr Wakefield is the leader of the Biddulph Regeneration Forum and Staffordshire County Council's Development Services.

"I am delighted the hard work which has been put into this project by all parties has finally paid off," he said.

"I see this as just the beginning of the regeneration process in Biddulph, and look forward to my continued involvement with the forum."

The bypass will consist of a single 24-feet wide carriageway, with adjacent footpaths and verges.

It will be about one mile long, and will extend from St John's Road at its southern end to Thames Drive to the north, passing the town on its western side.

Road lighting will be provided, and new roundabouts are to be created at the junctions with Tunstall Road, Wharf Road and Congleton Road.

A traffic signal junction will be provided at Station Road, as well as signalised pedestrian crossing facilities at Station Road and Tunstall Road.

The bypass is aimed at relieving congestion in the town centre, and the contract for the scheme has been awarded to Alfred McAlpine Construction.

The bypass is expected to be open to traffic by autumn 2003.