CELEBRATIONS today as a 4 km by pass built at a cost of �20 million by Britain s largest house builder, Persimmon Homes, prepared to open for traffic. Completion of the Stanground Bypass near Whittlesey and Peterborough will give the economy of the region

CELEBRATIONS today as a 4 km by pass built at a cost of �20 million by Britain's largest house builder, Persimmon Homes, prepared to open for traffic.

Completion of the Stanground Bypass near Whittlesey and Peterborough will give the economy of the region a massive boost, believes chairman John White.

"It also demonstrates our commitment to this area and we are delighted with the potential of this development," he said.

The company, recovering well from the recession with sales in the first half of this year well up on 2008, can now begin the task of building 1,500 homes and a new community.

Dignitaries and some of those involved in its construction toured the by pass today in a double Decker bus before lunching in a temporary marquee put up on one of the roundabouts.

By tonight that will have gone as the first of the expected 12,000 vehicles a day begin their journey along the by pass which will ease commuting into and out of Peterborough.

Additionally Persimmon plan to invest up to �5 million in local education as part of the deal hammered out during the planning process.

The company also revealed today the new development, previously referred to as Stanground South, will be renamed Cardea after the Green Goddess that was responsible for protecting the home.

Mr White revealed that his company's total investment in Cardea will exceed �45 million once homes, a new local centre and other infrastructure are completed.

Persimmon will provide �400,000 to extend Oakdale Primary School, a further �2.3 million for a new primary school, and �2 million investment in Stanground College and other secondary education facilities.

The company, which applied for planning consent over six years ago, also disclosed they had spent an extra �500,000 to incorporate works to accommodate a Great Crested Newt colony.

The multi million pound relief road took ten months to construct and connects Junction 3A of the Fletton Parkway to Whittlesey Road.