The decision gives the green light for the Staffordshire Alliance team of VolkerRail, Laing O’Rourke, Atkins and Network Rail to start the major improvement scheme.

The flyover at Norton Bridge is the third and biggest phase of Network Rail’s £250m Stafford Area Improvements Programme.

Six miles of new 100mph railway will be constructed as well as 10 new bridge structures and one bridge enhancement.

The complex project also includes four river diversions, major environmental mitigation works and pipeline, road and footpath diversions.

Ian Jones, head of the Staffordshire Alliance, said: “With the West Coast main line set to reach capacity in just five years time, the flyover at Norton Bridge is one of the last improvements that can be made on the route to help provide a better service for passengers.

“It will remove a major pinch point and allow faster, more frequent and reliable passenger and freight services.”

As an infrastructure project of national significance, the Norton Bridge scheme was the subject of a Development Consent Order application.

Following submission of the DCO application by Network Rail in December 2012, a six month examination period began last April, with a recommendation made to the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP, who last week made a decision to grant the DCO application.