The £120m project to build a third river crossing in Great Yarmouth has taken another leap forward.

The Norfolk County Council scheme has been designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project by Chris Grayling, the secretary of state for transport.

This means that the project, due to start in 2020, will now follow the Planning Act 2008 regime and Norfolk County Council are now able to work with the Planning Inspectorate in order to progress the Development Consent Order.

The Planning Act 2008 process was introduced to streamline the decision-making process for major infrastructure projects, making it fairer and faster for communities and applicants alike.

In involves a six month examination by the Planning Inspectorate and the relevant Secretary of State then has a further three months to make the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.

Once a decision has been issued by the relevant Secretary of State, there is a six week period in which the decision may be challenged in the High Court with a Judicial Review.

Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State has designated Great Yarmouth’s Third River Crossing a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

“The crossing will provide numerous opportunities for Great Yarmouth, and will open up new prospects for investment in the town and the Enterprise Zone.

“The decision to designate the Third River Crossing as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project also means that the project can maintain the planned delivery programme and is on course for construction to start in October 2020.”

In November the chancellor Philip Hammond announced £98m for the bridge scheme, with the county council sourcing the rest of the funding.