Historic Baldock, which is regularly grid-locked by traffic jams, has been waiting for a bypass for 35 years.

Commuters travelling into the town have been known to have to queue for an hour.

The problem is that three principal roads - the A6141, A507 and A505 - converge in the centre of the town.

The road will run to the east of the town

Work is due to start early next year on the road designed to bring relief from the jams.

The road, running to the east of the town and costing £40m, will start just off the A1M, and link up with the A505, over four miles (6.5 km) later.

Many people believe their town will be a better place without the rat run, although some fear livelihoods will be affected.

The bypass is scheduled to open in 2006.