A multi-million pound government boost for the nation's road network could fast-track major housing developments in Kingsteignton.

Homes minister John Healey said this week £30 million was being made available nationwide for transport projects which supported the thousands of extra dwellings he said were needed to get people off waiting lists.

Some £2.4 million has been allocated to the Newton Abbot Infrastructure Package which potentially includes a link road from Greenhill Way to the development sites proposed by minerals giant Sibelco.

Other ideas being considered include improved bus services on Newton Road and a cycle link between Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot.

The cash has to be spent by March 31, 2011.

Sibelco has plans for hundreds of new homes and other projects on land worked for its mineral riches.

Pivotal to its scheme are better transport links.

Bob Williams, chief executive of Arnold White Estates, the firm guiding Sibelco's bid, told the Advertiser: 'I would say this is seriously good news as the real problem we are facing is very much about housing delivery.

'Road improvements could accelerate the building of new homes at Rackerhayes and Newcross.

'We have 750 homes we could provide at an early stage and what we need next are the planning consents. The longer term situation is dependent on Teignbridge producing a Local Development Framework but we do have other sites we could bring forward if that's what's needed.

'I just hope something is decided soon, I'm a man in a hurry.'

Devon County Council has secured the cash which follows closely on the £1.5 billion Mr Healey released for 30,000 new homes across Britain in the next two years.

He said of the transport money: 'We need to ensure that people and families living in new homes have the transport links they need, whether this is a new road, new bus links or cycle paths.

'This £30m boost for councils places them at the centre of supporting homes, jobs and growth, which is good news for the local area.'

The group fighting plans for major expansion in Kingsteignton, KREAG, doubted whether the announcement would have any great impact locally.

Spokesman Cllr Ken Tuckett said: '£2.4 million allocated for a "combination of infrastructure projects around Newton Abbot" is £1.6 million less than the £4 million application made for funding the Broadway Road to Greenhill Way link road alone.

'The Newton Road relief road through Rackerhayes has already been dropped from the Newcross development because relocating the rugby club cannot be funded. Now it appears doubtful funding puts other infrastructure projects in jeopardy.  KREAG will be studying the final Newcross infrastructure proposals supporting the 586 new dwellings very closely.'