Land deals to make way for a controversial £123m link road will be given the go ahead in the coming days.
A public examination on plans for the Heysham M6 Link Road closed on September 20 and a decision on whether the scheme can go ahead is expected by the Secretary of State next month.
Bosses at Lancashire County Council will take a decision on compulsory purchase orders to make way for the link road in readiness for the decision to be made.
To date £3.4m has been spent buying land on property to make way for the scheme.
The current estimate for buying the rest of the land is £5.15m.
The link road will be funded by the Department of Transport with additional costs coming from the council.
The full cost of the scheme is expected to be £123m, with the Department for Transport confirming it will contribute £110m.
If given the go ahead, construction on the site is expected to start in July this year.
Steve McCreesh, project director for the Heysham M6 Link, said: “The Secretary of State for Transport should be taking the decision on whether to give approval for the Heysham M6 Link scheme by late March.
“However, there are two decisions which must be approved by the leader of the county council and cabinet member for highways and transport, so that we are ready if the scheme is given approval.
“However, no action will be taken and no work will start until the Secretary of State grants planning permission and confirms the compulsory purchase order.”
Coun Tim Ashton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We are absolutely committed to the link road and Lancashire County Council will be building that road as far as I am concerned.
“The sooner we can get on with it the better. It has been going for far too long.
“The Government are also committed, just as much as we are, The benefits it will bring to the people of Heysham, Morecambe and Lancaster are much awaited.”
Comments