PLANS to build a new link road to take traffic away from Backwell and Barrow Gurney will not be scrapped according to North Somerset Council, despite the new mayor of Bristol wanting to review them.

The proposed South Bristol link road from the A370 in Long Ashton would connect to the A38 at Hartcliffe.

The project was promised Government funding back in December 2011 and should relieve the villages of their traffic problems. The link road would also provide easier access to Bristol Airport.

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council’s executive member for highways, said Bristol’s recently elected mayor George Ferguson was having a look at all the plans which were given approval before he was elected.

He said: “We have to make sure this isn’t going to delay our progress and this has been made clear to him. This is a £46million scheme and we have absolutely got to get it right.”

The link road will provide greater access between the A370 and A38 for walkers, cyclists and buses, with a park and ride scheme at Hengrove Park.

Work was set to begin in May 2014 and was expected to take two years to complete but could now be delayed depending on how long Mr Ferguson spends reviewing the idea.

Cllr Ap Rees said any further costs incurred by the delay would not be paid by North Somerset Council.

The South Bristol Link was one of 20 schemes chosen for funding by the Department for Transport out of a pool of 45. The Government will give £27.6million to the project, North Somerset Council will give £17million and the rest will come from third parties.