A controversial new bypass - labelled as an alternative to the M25 - is to be built in south Essex thanks to a £92m Government windfall.

Plans for the new A130 road have caused mixed reactions during the battle to earn funding. County councillor Ray Howard, for Canvey West, has been pushing for the financial support and is delighted with the announcement.

But campaigners Friends of the Earth have vowed to continue fighting the "major motorway".

Spokesman John Fuller said: "The decision to spend £92m on this new motorway is a bitter blow for those who have campaigned for a solution to congestion in south east Essex.

"That money could have built sufficient bus lanes, cycle paths and a network of slow speed limit zones, which would have done far more to solve congestion than building a major new road."

Mr Howard said: "The whole road network snarls up whenever there is an accident or incident on the A130. It must be the worst road in the county.

"This will be instrumental in taking Essex's economy into the next century. The road will encourage economic growth, and help employment in places like Southend and Canvey which have suffered for too long because of traffic problems."

The chairman of the highways and transportation committee also paid tribute to councillors, MPs and officers.

He said: "This has been a non-party scheme, backed by all sides. To know we have had a united front has been important. I commend my colleagues for their support."

Work on the two lane dual carriageway - from the A12 in Chelmsford to the A127 between Basildon and Southend - will take place in two stages.

The new road will run alongside the existing A130 rather than replace it.

Mr Howard added: "I recognise there have been people against this project, but so many people will benefit from it. It will be a lifeline for Essex, providing a route running from north to south of the county."

Transport minister Dr John Reid said: "This scheme will fill a gap in the existing infrastructure. The project demonstrates the Government is prepared to provide support to high quality road schemes which meet our transport objectives." Fact file

Traffic levels are high on the existing road with between 26,000 and 32,000 cars passing through Howe Green, Rettendon and Rawreth each day.

The accident rate is twice that expected for roads of its class and flow.

Built in two stages, the northern section is expected to open to traffic by autumn 2001, and the southern section by early 2004.

The A130 bypass is the first local authority Private Finance Initiative road proposal to secure Project Review Group approval.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.