THE government has invested £1.3 million to ease congestion at Hoobrook Island in Kidderminster.

The roundabout is one of 12 Worcestershire sites set to receive a slice of £12 million from the government's Getting Building Fund, which was released to Worcestershire County Council on Tuesday (August 4).

Hoobrook Island, which is considered one of the county’s congestion hotspots, will see further improvements to ease traffic build-ups in the area. The council announced last month that plans to add traffic signals on the roundabout and widen the approaches for the A449 and A442 were due to start later this year.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: "This funding is great news for the county and great news for its economic recovery.

"The additional £12 million investment into the county will make a big difference, and with a large portion of it allocated to schemes we’re delivering as a county council, it will allow us to push forward in ensuring these schemes help the economy get back on its feet.”

The programme will also support future skills in the county through investment in a new construction and automotive skills centre in Kidderminster.

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "We are very excited to see this new funding confirmed by government today. Worcestershire is set to receive £12 million for a range of projects designed to stimulate growth and get the local economy back on track.

"Worcestershire is a key economy within the Midlands and this support from government further emphasises that.

"We are looking forward to working with our partners across the county on these projects as we continue Worcestershire's development towards our vision of a connected, creative, dynamic economy for all."

Some of the other schemes given the additional funding include Malvern Technology Park, to build a spine road through the site, and Redditch Transport Interchange, to focus on the development of the rail quarter.