Workmen have moved into the Northern Quarter to prepare the ground for a new road for Cinderford.

Highways staff moved in Monday for 11 weeks of ground investigations.

The final report will help shape the route and design of the new road to take into account mineshafts, wildlife sites and other factors.

A planning application is expected to be submitted next spring.

Meanwhile regeneration chiefs have applied for a multi-million pound loan to finish the new road in one go.

Originally they had hoped to start the road with money from the Homes and Communities Agency, and finish phase two and three with contributions from developers.

But in a bid to inspire investor confidence they are bidding for a loan from the £8.5 million Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund.

Economic development company GFirst is distributing the money from the Government's Growing Places Fund but competition is fierce.

Coun Graham Morgan, chairman of the Cinderford Regeneration Board, welcomed news workers are on site.

He said: "It's great to hear that our priority project has taken another important step forward, as local people want to see action on the ground.

"This new link road represents a vital piece of the Cinderford regeneration jigsaw."

David Warburton, HCA Head of Area, said: "This is a vitally important project for the Forest of Dean as it will help unlock the Northern Quarter, which holds the key to the regeneration of Cinderford."

The new road will run from Broadmoor Road, past Linear Park and through the old Northern United site to the A4136.