Proposals which could see a �38m third crossing built in Lowestoft have now been rubber-stamped by the government, it was revealed today.A report by the Highways Agency, which was received by Waveney MP Bob Blizzard today, showed that a new bridge over Lake Lothing should stretch from Peto Way in the north of the town to Waveney Drive in the south.

Proposals which could see a �38m third crossing built in Lowestoft have now been rubber-stamped by the government, it was revealed today.

A report by the Highways Agency, which was received by Waveney MP Bob Blizzard today, showed that a new bridge over Lake Lothing should stretch from Peto Way in the north of the town to Waveney Drive in the south.

Mr Blizzard persuaded the Highways Agency to pay for a feasibility study into the third crossing in compensation for the delayed repair project on the existing bascule bridge last year.

The plans, drawn up by consultants Faber Maunsell, show that the bridge will be situated between the two existing crossings, connecting from a new roundabout behind Waveney Drive to another on Peto Way, near the Bannatyne's health club.

Mr Blizzard has now received the full report back from the transport minister. Mr Blizzard said: 'This is an important step forward. We now know the actual location of the third crossing and have a line on a map. This means we now have a real scheme which can be taken forward.

'This is the biggest talking point in the town. Clearly our task now is for everybody to get behind this scheme. I'm going to push for further funding to work up the scheme, as the more detail we have, the better and the more likely it is to get the go ahead.'

Hopes for a new bridge received a boost in November last year when it made its way on to a list of schemes that could get cash from the East of England Regional Assembly after 2013.