Building on a coastal town's long-awaited third crossing should begin in 2019, the area's MP has said.

Lowestoft has been campaigning for a third route over Lake Lothing for more than 50 years, as traffic has often snarled up at when the bascule bridge lifts to let boats through.

The only other route into town is a round trip of several miles through Oulton Broad, where drivers have to contend with another river crossing and the Oulton Broad North railway crossing.

But after former prime minister David Cameron promised £73.39m of funding for a new crossing at the last general election, Waveney MP Peter Aldous said : 'Work is now well and truly under way.'

In a regular column for our sister paper, the Lowestoft Journal, he wrote: 'I am now chairing a steering group, comprising key local players, that will work with the county council. We will ensure that they get all the local feedback that they need so as to deliver the bridge successfully.

'The county council will be starting the planning process in the new year, so look out for the consultation and make sure your voice is heard.

'The building of the bridge itself should be under way in 2019. Between now and then I will be very interested to see what the urban designers come up with, as we are all keen to make sure that the bridge does Lowestoft proud.'

There had been fears that the change of prime minister and change in government priorities following the Brexit vote might put the scheme in jeopardy.

But Mr Aldous said: 'Our funding from the government is firmly committed subject to a successful planning permission and our business case continuing to show high value for money. So rest assured there are no worries on the Brexit front.'

Email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk with your views.