MORE than 31 years of tireless campaigning have paid off with the completion of the Wyre Piddle bypass scheduled within the next 12 months.

Long-suffering villagers could be set for an early Christmas present with Worcestershire County Council earmarking completion for November, 2002.

Frustrated residents saw the first signs that the road was on the way when surveyors began pegging out the route between the Abbey View and Upper Moor roundabouts last June.

And with the contract for constructing the bypass valued at nearly £4m eventually awarded to Shropshire company Wrekin Construction in December, work will begin on February 25 - weather permitting.

According to Coun John Smith, Worcestershire county council's assistant cabinet member for economic development and the environment, the scheme will not only improve the county's transport network but improve the quality of life for villagers.

"I'm delighted that dates have been set for the bypass and that the construction contracted has been awarded," he said.

"By this time next year we expect to see a real difference in traffic flow around the area. It will improve the quality of life for local residents and also for people using the bypass."

Bronze Age

An archaeological dig on the site by the county council's archaeologists earlier this year ensured treasures from the past, such as a Bronze Age cremation site from 3,500 years ago will not be lost when construction begins.

The route, which will eventually remove congestion from Wyre Hill, will stretch for just over a mile, cutting to the east of Throckmorton Road and on to the Evesham Road with a bridge over Piddle Brook.