A MASTERPLAN to 'alleviate congestion' and build 465 homes has received a major boost after securing £3.6 million funding from the Government.

The council will receive £3,685,904 in total towards the Centre Park link scheme as part of the Government's £866 million investment in housing projects across the nation.

A key part of the £19.3 million project is a crossing over the Mersey to connect Chester Road to the town centre, via an extended Slutchers Lane leading from Wilson Patten Street.

A new signal controlled junction will also be constructed at each end of the new link, on Chester Road and Wilson Patten Street.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said: "This fund finances vital infrastructure such as roads, schools and bridges, which will kick-start housing development in some of Britain's highest-demand areas."

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for highways, said the authority is 'delighted to have once again been successful with a bid for major infrastructure funding'.

He added: "The plans for the Centre Park link will deliver a new bridge and link road from Chester Road to Slutchers Lane to alleviate traffic congestion around Bridge Foot and Chester Road.

"It will also provide a link to land south of Centre Park, which currently has no access."

The crossing is planned to be built by autumn 2019.

In addition, the council said the scheme will bring forward plans to build approximately 465 homes close to the town centre.