The first pictures have emerged revealing the sheer size of construction at Ely’s Southern Bypass.

A video has emerged of staff using a large crane to place the first beam of the bridge over the River Great Ouse.

Paul Separovic, an Environment Agency employee, captured the images yesterday morning (April 12).

The clips come after Mayor James Palmer said he makes “no apology” after a £13 million increase was revealed by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Work began on the £36million bypass in January 2017 and the road was expected to open by late summer 2018.

However, the council said “tricky conditions” including a floodplain and working near a “national heritage site” meant costs spiralled.

Talking of the construction, Councillor Ian Bates, chairman of the council’s economy and environment committee, said: “This is going to bring a lot of satisfaction to the people of Ely, they’ve asked for it for about 40 odd years.

“This will solve the problem of Ely and will be a great opportunity for the future of the city, but not only that, but for the wider geography of the villages further afield.

“Construction is progressing well, with the eastern, central and western embankments built.”