Work on the new Walton Bridge is set to start this autumn after the Government confirmed this week funding for the project was secure.

The future of the multi-million pound scheme to build a bridge over the Thames connecting Walton to Shepperton was unsure at the beginning of the month, after Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond said, due to the Governments attempt to save £683m from the public purse, all transport projects that had not already started would be suspended.

However, after writing to Mr Hammond, Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab confirmed this week the minister had managed to prevent Walton Bridge’s inclusion among the suspended projects.

Mr Raab said: “We will face difficult decisions, given the dire public finances inherited from the last government, so I am relieved that funding for Walton Bridge will be approved. Surrey County Council (SCC) made a convincing case, I wrote to the Secretary of Transport earlier in the week and the Government has responded with the welcome confirmation that construction of this vital piece of local infrastructure can go ahead.”

The current bridge caters for about 30,000 vehicles every day, but SCC’s cabinet member for transport Councillor Ian Lake said it had a “short term” life and only a new bridge would prevent traffic problems in the area.

He said: “I am really pleased the Government has secured the money for this project. It is something we have been longing for a number of years as the Thames crossing is a high priority for us as a local authority.”

But some people are concerned the construction site will have a negative impact on the nearby Cowey Sale recreation ground and have argued the temporary bridge could last another 50 years before a replacement is needed.

Preliminary work on the new bridge - that will cost nearly £30m to build - will start in the autumn, with the main working getting under way in January next year.