Heysham to M6 Link

The Heysham to M6 Link is one of the largest road building projects currently being managed by a local authority in England. The new road, which will bring huge economic and transport benefits to the county, has long been the council’s highest priority major infrastructure project.

The commitment by the Department for Transport to fund the scheme demonstrates its national importance – it was only one of nine local authority schemes to receive funding earlier this year and is seen as strategically important for the Lancaster district and the future development of the Heysham and Morecambe areas.

The link road aims to improve access for businesses in Heysham and Morecambe including the port and nuclear power stations, open up large areas for regeneration and, along with additional measures to manage traffic, reduce congestion currently experienced within Lancaster caused by traffic accessing these areas.

On top of the ongoing economic benefits, construction alone is expected to employ over 3,000 people. Around 100 local unemployed people will also receive training and jobs during construction.

New planning process

The scheme originally received planning permission in 2008 but a number of changes to the design were made last year after the Department for Transport asked the county council to reduce the overall cost of the scheme in response to the government’s comprehensive spending review.

The changes make the scheme more affordable, safer to build and will mean less impact on the environment during construction.

A new planning regime introduced by the government since the scheme was last approved – called the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) – means a fresh planning application is now needed. The new planning process will mean construction is now estimated to begin in summer 2013.

Consultation

After eight weeks of community engagement, the most recent public consultation on the Heysham to M6 link road came to an end on the 31 July 2011 – but there is still an opportunity for you to make your voice heard when the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) examines our application. We would like to thank everyone who visited the exhibitions, the website or the deposit locations to view and comment on the consultation documents.

The formal phase of our consultation ran from the start of June to the end of July. Residents and stakeholders had the opportunity to view the proposed scheme at five locations strategically placed in the vicinity of the 4.8 km route from White Lund to Junction 34 at the M6.

Nearly 800 people attended the exhibitions over five days and we received 369 feedback forms, together with around 120 emails and 47 letters. Key consultation documents were also made available at several deposit locations and were available on the project website throughout the consultation period.

Over the last few months we have been processing all the responses and sending individual replies to all those who requested more information about the scheme. We have also visited those who wanted detailed discussions about issues directly affecting them; and using the information gleaned to help shape the scheme and our application that we have now submitted to the IPC.

As expected, attendance and questionnaire response rates varied from venue to venue. The Torrisholme exhibition for instance, received the most interest from the public with 60 people an hour viewing the large-scale scheme diagrams on display in the Methodist Church Hall.

The feedback we received from the questionnaires showed that 72% of those who responded had a good understanding of the proposals; 24% had a limited understanding; whilst only 4% said they didn’t understand the proposals.

What happens next?

We are now entering the pre-examination phase. Whether you support or oppose the road this is your opportunity to become involved in the formal planning process and give further feedback. To take part in the examination of the application you must register with the IPC as an interested party (the county council cannot register you).

To register as an interested party:

Visit the IPC website - http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/heysham.  Alternatively, a copy of the form can be requested from the helpline on 0303 444 5000.

The IPC reference number for this application is: TR010008. This should be quoted in any correspondence.

The registration period is time-limited but a minimum of 28 days will be provided.  Once registered, you will also be kept up to date with the progress of the application and will have the opportunity to:

• Put a summary of your case to the IPC in writing (known as making a relevant representation)
• Request to speak at the Preliminary Meeting about how the application should be examined
• Provide a more detailed written representation to the IPC
• Request that a hearing be held
• Request to speak at a hearing

More guidance is available in the IPC Advice Note 8.3: “Putting your case to the IPC”, available on the IPC website.

At the end of the registration period, copies of all representations will be published on the IPC website (personal details such as addresses and contact details will be removed). Printed copies will also be made available locally. People who have registered with the IPC will be invited to attend and take part in the Preliminary Meeting. The purpose of the meeting will be to set out the procedure for examining the application only, including, setting the timetable for making more detailed written representations. It will not be an opportunity to discuss the merits of the application or to put your case forward.

You cannot register until the 11 January and the deadline for registration is the 20 February. The Heysham M6 link road is a major scheme linking the Heysham and Morecambe area with a new junction 34 of the M6 and was recently named as one of the government's top-priority infrastructure projects.

View our application

Our application included a consultation report along with an Environmental Statement, and plans of the proposals. Hard copies of all the documents submitted with our application including the environmental statement are available to be viewed free of charge, at the following locations from 11 January 2012 to the 31 October 2012. 

Council offices:

• Lancaster Town Hall
• Morecambe Town Hall
• County Hall Preston

Viewing times are 9am to 5pm (weekdays).

Libraries

• Carnforth
• Lancaster
• Morecambe
• Halton
• Heysham
• Bolton-le-Sands

Viewing times vary - please check with the library.

Parish Councils

• Caton with Littledale
• Halton with Aughton
• Heaton with Oxcliffe
• Slyne-with-Hest

Please contact the parish clerk.

Heysham to M6 link - aerial view (click for larger image)