Long-awaited Ely bypass opens to traffic

• Video report by ITV News Anglia's Stuart Leithes

Ely's long awaited bypass has finally opened to traffic.

Work started in January last year and it was meant to be finished this summer, but unforeseen difficulties building on a flood plain and close to a heritage site meant it's only just ready.

But it's not been cheap, the project's gone £13 million over budget.

The road opened at 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.

The bypass will provide a huge boost for the area and will ease congestion in and around Ely by providing a new link between Stuntney Causeway and Angel Drove.

The new route will remove the need for heavy goods vehicles to use the railway level crossing, and avoid an accident-prone-low-bridge.

The brand-new bypass has now officially opened, but work to build a new walkway for residents and visitors will continue until late November.