Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport and for Scotland, performed the official start of work ceremony on the project to bring the A74 up to motorway status.

The 5.8-mile section of the A74 will provide the 'missing link' in the motorway network between England and Scotland as part of the Government's commitment to reduce congestion.

The A74 is the main westerly route between England and Scotland and is used by over 44,000 vehicles a day, three quarters of the cross border traffic - including around 10,000 heavy goods vehicles.

Douglas Alexander, said: "This project will close the 'Cumbrian gap', reducing congestion and making the route safer for the many thousands of road users that use the road every day. Work starts today and when completed in December 2008 will provide a motorway route from London to Glasgow."