A ROAD is to be built at a cost of £2m to create better access to Teesside International Airport.

It is hoped the development, which will include a cycleway and pedestrian footway, will ease traffic congestion during the summer, and create jobs and investment.

Work to construct the route, to the west of the existing link from the A67 into the airport estate, will get under way in the new year.

The £2m investment by the regional development agency One NorthEast was approved by Government Office North-East on Christmas Eve.

Existing businesses are expected to benefit from the investment, as access will be improved to two hotels, the International Fire Training Centre, cargo operations and smaller firms within the terminal.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Teesside International Airport, said: "Improved access is a key element in our ambitious development plans, which include a commitment from Peel Airports to invest £20m over the next five years and the planned rebranding of the airport under the Durham Tees Valley banner next year."

Phil Hughes, board member for One NorthEast, said: "This major piece of infrastructure will be vital to unlocking the potential of Teesside airport as a key international operator, a magnet for supplier business and a provider of jobs."

Joe Docherty, chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration, said: "The airport is one of the most important elements in the economic regeneration of our sub-region.

"Government statistics suggest passenger numbers could triple by 2015."

A new roundabout will be built 60 metres south-west of the current one.

It will have four access legs, one from the existing Mill Lane, one from Yarm Road, one to the existing access to the airport road and one to the new access road.

A new four-access roundabout at the airport end will provide access to the existing infrastructure on the estate.