Plans to dual a section of the A12 in Suffolk have moved a step closer after the county council submitted a business case for the works to the Government.

The business case provides a justification for the improvements between the Seven Hills and Woods Lane junctions at Woodbridge, including an evaluation of the benefits, costs and risks of alternative solutions.

READ MORE: Rethink called for £53m plan for Suffolk A12 major upgrade

Currently, the sections of the carriageway between the Seckford and Dobbies roundabouts on the edge of the town are predominantly single carriageway.

However, the plan is to create a new dualled section, possibly with traffic lights on some of the junctions, which would only be used at peak times.

Officers say the work is needed to deal with growing traffic demands with projections suggesting vehicles will increase by a quarter by 2040 - with nearly 47,000 daily vehicle movements around the Martlesham junctions by then.

READ MORE: Woodbridge news

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said there were no plans 'at this stage' to dual other sections of the A12 between Ipswich and Lowestoft.

She added: "Suffolk County Council has submitted a business case to Government for improvements between Seven Hills and Woods Lane in Woodbridge.

"This includes dualling the section between the B1438 and the B1079 Dobbies roundabout. We are waiting to hear whether the bid has been successful.

"There are no plans at this stage for bids to dual other sections of the A12."

READ MORE: Suffolk news

The dualling proposals are part of £53 million plans to cut congestion on the A12 between Nacton and Melton.

However, in the past the plans have been criticised by Green and Liberal Democrat county councillors who have called for a greater focus on sustainable transport, especially low carbon solutions and public transport.