Four names shortlisted for Heysham M6 Link

Lancashire County Council has shortlised Heysham Link, Heysham Way, Albert Halton Way and The Bay Gateway.

People are now being asked to vote for their favourite.

The name will be used to describe the road and feature on signposts, maps, and SatNavs.

More than one hundred suggestions were given for the official name of the new road, which is due to open later this year.

Albert Halton was a local soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for service during World War 1.

Voting is now open and closes at midnight on March 1.

The official name will announced in March.

County Coun John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We’re looking forward to the road opening later this year.

!This road is a major investment which is bringing new jobs and will make it easier for people to travel around the area.

“Thank you to people who put forward their ideas for the name.

“We certainly had some imaginative and interesting suggestions related to local people, the local area, and even a few cheeky ones.

“Work is progressing well. The storms in December caused some slight delays, but we’re still aiming to finish in late summer.

“All of the main structures are well on their way and work is continuing on the carriageways.

“The A6 bridge is expected to open at the end of March and parts of the M6 junction should be completed later this month.”

The shortlist was selected by Coun Fillis, as well as Jennifer Mein, leader of the county council; and County Coun Darren Clifford, who represents Morecambe South.

Construction of the road began in January 2014, with more than 1.7m cubic metres of earth moved so far.

The £124.5m link road will connect the Heysham peninsula directly to the M6, providing better access to Morecambe and industrial areas which include the Port of Heysham and the Heysham power stations.

It is also expected to reduce congestion in the Lancaster area especially on Caton Road, Morecambe Road and the Greyhound and Skerton bridges.

The port, the third largest in the North West, is developing as a hub for services to Ireland.

It is the supply base for major offshore gas field and wind farms.

The main part of the scheme involves constructing a 4.8km dual carriageway from the A589 between Morecambe and Lancaster to an upgraded Junction 34 on the M6, with additional measures to improve transport in the city.

To vote, visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/heyshamlink.

You can also vote in person at the Lancaster Visitor Information Centre on Meeting House Lane and the Morecambe Visitor Information Centre on Marine Road Central.