A new mile-long dual carriageway being built in Buckinghamshire has made progress as a new contractor has been hired to finish the project.

The South-East Aylesbury Link Road, which is being built on the outskirts of Aylesbury, will include three new roundabout junctions and a bridge over the railway to London to form part of a new ‘Aylesbury Orbital Link Road’.

The council hopes the new £147 million highway, set to open by the end of 2026, will ease congestion and help it open new cycling and walking routes.

Council leader Martin Tett confirmed this week that a new contractor had been hired to complete the ‘incredibly complex project’. He said: “It is brilliant news we now have a contractor in place to complete the rest of the work on the main section of this new road which will go a huge way to easing the traffic problems regularly experienced in Aylesbury.

“It really is a critical piece of infrastructure that will bring huge benefits to residents and business – reducing congestion, improving the environment and facilitating housing and job growth in and around Aylesbury.”

From next month, contractor Galliford Try will complete the remaining works on the first phase of the new road.

This section runs from the B4443 Lower Road to A413 Wendover Road including the bridge over the railway.

The second phase will see a shorter section linking Lower Road to HS2’s new Stoke Mandeville Relief Road, which is expected to open next year.