West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has today welcomed news of a multi-million pound Government investment into improving traffic flow along the A46. The work to improve the A46 and its junction with the M5 will be carried out next year and will cost more than £1.65m. The scheme is part of a nationwide investment programme to improve road safety and to reduce congestion totaling £98 million. Harriett commented: "The A46 carries a lot of traffic to and from the M5 and this project will help the local economy by improving travel times.” Worcestershire County Council leader Adrian Hardman added: " I am delighted that we are able to make progress on the A46, and the improvement to the Ashton Cross junction. “It will improve journey times for the people of the Bredon division who work in North Gloucestershire, and queue at these lights." Roads Minister Stephen Hammond added: “The Government is committed to cutting congestion and accelerating growth – that is why the Chancellor injected an extra £100 million into the Highways Agency pinch point programme last autumn. “This third round of innovative schemes has the potential to facilitate the creation of more than 94,000 new jobs and 61,000 new homes, while making life easier for the thousands of motorists and businesses who use these roads every day.”