New aerial pictures of the controversial Kelston toll road have revealed what the project looks like from the sky, as the track prepares to open next week.
Businessman Mike Watts has set up Kelston Toll Road Ltd to build the 400m diversion around the A431, which has been closed since February.
He says it will offer a much-needed lifeline for commuters who are currently forced to make lengthy re-routes to get between Bath and places such as Bristol, Keynsham and Bitton.
However, Bath and North East Somerset Council has expressed concerns about the toll road, which does not have planning permission.
A spokesman said its planning enforcement team was investigating the matter, adding that it did not know if the road met safety standards.
Mr Watts, whose son Edwin used a gyrocopter to take pictures and video of the toll road from the sky, said he had now secured public liability insurance and submitted a retrospective planning application to the local authority.
"I have had a 100 per cent positive response from the public on this," he said. "Too many people are displaced by the road closure, their daily lives have been so disrupted by this.
"So everyone is feeling this will be a really good thing."
Mr Watts said he had hoped the toll road would be open by the end of this week, but he had faced a few delays at the last minute.
However, he said it would be "fully operational" next week.
The toll fees each way will be £1 for a motorcycle and £2 for a car or a van.
Meanwhile, engineers have started work on repairing the structure of the A431.
The £1.5 million scheme is expected to be completed by Christmas.
