A bypass which has been requested for decades has reached an important milestone - and it will cost of millions of pounds before construction work can even get underway.

An outline business case for the project, which would be built around Isham, near Kettering, was submitted by North Northamptonshire Council.

The government is required to check that the project is still financially viable, hence the need for the business case.

Construction will begin in April 2027 subject to planning permission which will go to committee next year.

The Northamptonshire Telegraph reports that the bypass would ease the amount of traffic travelling through the village, which sees more than 25,000 vehicle movements a day.

The 2.3-mile bypass will open in March 2029 if it goes ahead, it would begin at the new Symmetry Park roundabout, which is being built south of junction nine on the A14.

From here, it would run west of Isham and re-join the A509 Kettering Road midway between Hill Top and Great Harrowden.

Disagreements on the route and problems with funding have led the project to be delayed but it has been talked about on and off since 2001.

Now, 23 years later, the road could finally be built if it gets approval and investment.

The business case seeks £4.346 million from the government with £2.172 million from the council, giving a total of £6.518 million to get the scheme to the stage where it is ready to start construction.

Before Labour won the General Election, the previous Conservative government said it would fund the costs of the road which would help to unlock economic growth in the area.

Conservative Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council's executive for highways, travel and assets, said at the time: “Submitting an outline business case is an important milestone to reach for this project and I'm delighted to announce that we've made our submission to government.

“This scheme has been wanted by local residents for a very long time and we're determined to make this a reality for them.”

More updates on the road will be available in 2025.