THE MP for Studley has joined forces with Warwickshire County Council to save the status of the A435 as a trunk road.

John Maples is supporting the council in its submission to a public inquiry, which is reviewing road and traffic planning for the region.

He told the inquiry economic growth in the area would continue to be adversely affected until a solution was found to reduce congestion on the road and that it must not be de-trunked.

He believes the A435, which has been a trunk road since 1987, will become more important over the next 20 years as traffic grows and he is continuing to fight for the bypass proposal while funding options are explored.