Highways England is to lead a £300,000 study looking at
major improvements to road links between the M65 in East Lancashire
and parts of Yorkshire.
The study – due to start in April – will consider what
enhancements could be made to road connections between the end of
the M65 at Colne and communities like Skipton in North Yorkshire
and Keighley and Bradford in West Yorkshire.
Transport Secretary said:
We are investing more than £13billion to improve transport
across the North so people can get around more easily, quickly
and safely.
This study is part of our ongoing work to ensure the routes
between Lancashire and Yorkshire are fit for the future –
helping link communities better and boosting the economy to
supercharge the Northern Powerhouse.
Beyond the M65, there is currently no consistent strategic route
for trans-Pennine traffic, with the limited alternative routes
suffering from congestion and drivers facing poor journey times
given the large distances involved. The M65 route between Preston
and Leeds is five miles shorter than journeys via the M62 but
takes 40 minutes longer.
The corridor is home to many manufacturing industries which could
benefit from improved roads. Investment could boost economic
growth not only in East Lancashire, and West and North Yorkshire,
but also beyond, across the whole of the North of England; this
could support jobs, housing and economic opportunities in the
area in line with the aspirations of Transport for the North
(TfN), the partnership making the case for pan-Northern strategic
transport improvements.
Investment to upgrade this corridor would also help to relieve
congestion on the M6 and M60 in the longer term as well as
providing greater network resilience.
Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’ Sullivan said:
This study will look at the issues currently facing road users
in the trans-Pennine corridor, the extent to which the lack of
strategic connection hinders growth, and options for improving
those journeys and boosting economic growth. It will also look
at how improvements could be used to support other
trans-Pennine routes such as the M62.
This initial strategic assessment will be followed by analysis of
potential options – and will consider the difficult terrain,
environmental impacts, economic growth, the role of other modes
in the corridor and concerns and aspirations of key road user
groups.
Working with TfN, Highways England is aiming to conclude and
publish its findings by the end of the autumn, delivering a
Strategic Outline Business Case for ministers to consider if
there is a case for future investment.
