The Department for Transport will invest £133 million in the completion of the Heysham to M6 Link which will boost economic growth and regeneration in the region by improving motorway access and cutting congestion. In particular the scheme will reduce congestion in Lancaster - improving road safety and the environment in the city as well as allowing for the introduction of improved public transport. It will also see improved safety at a key motorway junction. Lancashire County Council will provide the remainder of the £137 million scheme cost.
Paul Clark said:
"This scheme will significantly improve links for freight traffic between Heysham Port and the M6 and will also mean that all traffic travelling between the M6 and the Morecambe and Heysham peninsula will no longer have to journey through Lancaster city centre.
"This will bring much-needed congestion relief to Lancaster's historic centre, improve road safety and the local environment, as well as providing an opportunity to introduce better public transport.
"The Government is committed to investing in transport links, particularly when they help boost economic growth and regeneration. That's why I am pleased to announce £133 million Government funding for the completion of the Heysham to M6 Link. "
Phase 1 of the Heysham to M6 Link was completed in 1994 and removed a substantial volume of traffic from residential areas in Morecambe and Heysham, including heavy goods vehicles travelling between the Port of Heysham and the M6 motorway. However, most of this traffic must still journey through the centre of Lancaster to reach the motorway network.
The new 4.8km dual 2-lane carriageway will bypass the north of Lancaster and connect the existing A683 Heysham to M6 Link from the west of Lancaster to junction 34 of the M6 motorway near Halton. It will see the construction of 24 structures, including new bridges crossing the West Cost Mainline, Lancaster Canal and the River Lune. A combined footway/cycleway will run along the full length of the road.
Completion of the Heysham to M6 Link will bring more reliable journeys for the communities of Morecambe and Heysham travelling to the M6, and improve economic links for freight haulage to and from Heysham Port. The scheme will also relieve Lancaster of significant volumes of traffic which currently has to journey through the historic city centre in order to reach Heysham Port. The funding package also includes a new design for junction 34 of the M6 with improved safety standards for the slip roads.
