Update October 2010

Heysham M6 link receives green light

Lancashire County Council has renewed its commitment to building a road linking the Heysham and Morecambe peninsula to the M6 motorway after receiving the green light on funding. The Department for Transport has announced that the Heysham-M6 Link is one of a number of key infrastructure projects nationwide to receive financial backing.

The new road, which will bring huge economic and transport benefits to the county, has long been Lancashire County Council's highest priority major infrastructure project. County Councillor Tim Ashton, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This is great news. The M6 link is more than just a road - it will be an engine for economic growth for the whole of the region.

"Its construction will generate thousands of jobs and a six-fold return for every pound invested in it. The scheme enjoys widespread public support and will greatly improve access to the major port of Heysham and the rest of the peninsula."

The Heysham-M6 link road will attract investment in the area by providing better access to Morecambe and industrial areas on the peninsula and, along with additional measures to manage traffic as part of the scheme, reduce congestion through Lancaster city centre.The scheme will also bring ongoing regeneration benefits. Construction alone will employ over 3,000 people. A minimum of 100 local unemployed people will receive training and jobs during construction.

The Department for Transport has asked for the total cost of the scheme to be reduced as a result of the wider comprehensive spending review before a final funding offer is agreed. County Councillor Ashton added: "I fully understand why the Department for Transport is asking us to reduce the costs of the scheme within the wider context of the comprehensive spending review.

"We've already been looking at how we can save money on the scheme and I look forward to being able to finally agree funding with the Department for Transport before the end of the year."

An inquiry now has to be timetabled to hear objections to Compulsory Purchase Orders for land needed for the scheme. Depending on the new timescales, construction could begin in 2012 with the road opened to traffic in 2015.

Further Update April 30th 2010

The Local Model Validation Report (LMVR) is now available which summarises the accuracy of the highway traffic base from which forecasts are to be prepared. It also demonstrates the accurate reproduction of the existing situation as independently observed.

Further Update April 2010

Contractor appointed to build link road

A MAJOR scheme to ease congestion and boost the economy of Lancaster has taken another step forward with the appointment of a construction contractor.

The Heysham to M6 link will be built by Costain following a rigorous tendering and assessment process carried out by Lancashire County Council.

Steve McCreesh, Lancashire County Council's project manager for the scheme, said: "Costains have demonstrated to us that not only are they capable of building a very complex job as this but that they will do it with minimum disruption and maximum benefits for the local communities."

"They have an impressive track record of delivering similar jobs on time and below budget."

"Involving the contractor at this stage will enable them to start to look at the details of the project and plan its construction. This will involve discussions with local people and businesses to understand their concerns so that inconvenience can be minimised."

"Amongst other things the completed scheme will promote regeneration in the area by improving access and reducing congestion. However the regeneration will start once work gets underway."

Tim Bowen, highway services director for Costain, explained: "This is a big investment in the area and we will be employing local people and local businesses. The workforce will also be spending money in the area so the building of the road will be the first step in revitalising the area."

"Costain intend to work with the local community, education and employment agencies to ensure this exciting project brings the maximum benefit to the local community."

"We pride ourselves on our record of bringing employment and training of long term unemployed and innovative local education and community initiatives to major projects such as Heysham Link Road."'

Update April 2010

Link road addresses flooding concerns

NEWS that the Environment Agency has given formal consent for the proposed new bridge over the River Lune has been welcomed by Lancashire County Council.

Concerns had been raised by residents in Halton that the new bridge would make the existing flooding problem worse but extensive computer modelling has shown this not to be the case.

Lancashire County Council’s project manager for the scheme, Steve McCreesh, said: “The permission has been given because we have been able to prove that the bridge will not make existing flooding problems any worse.

“This is good news for us but I also hope it will mean residents in Halton can now feel more comfortable with the Heysham Link project.

“While the engineers cannot solve the flooding problem in Halton, at least residents now know that the proposed bridge, even under extreme conditions, will not make matters worse.

“The bridge design presented at the time of the planning inquiry was a very conservative solution and even this was shown to only raise the water by a few millimetres during critical flood events.

“As the detailed design of the bridge progressed we were able to make improvements. Even with a worst case scenario we have been able to show that the bridge will not cause problems.”

 "While the construction of the link road cannot solve the flooding problem in Halton, elsewhere, the proposed road will help solve problems. An undersized drain, known as Slynedales Culvert, that runs down the A6 is the only outlet for water from the Slyne and Hest Bank areas. Because it is too small, water backs up and causes flooding around Hest Bank Lane. As part of the link road works, the culvert will be replaced with a larger pipe so helping to solve the problem.

“We were pleased that our engineers have been able to redesign the drainage on the link road to provide this additional benefit to the residents in Slyne. After meeting with the residents and the Parish Council the staff from the county council, city council and the Environment Agency were determined to work together and come up with a solution.
  
“Further works will be required up the A6 and in Hest Bank Lane, these cannot be funded from the link road but we are working with Lancaster City Council and the Environment Agency to provide additional funding. The main cost is in replacing the culvert and that is included within the estimated cost of link road scheme.”

Update March 2010

The Statement of Case in relation to the Legal Orders which Lancashire County Council is obliged to serve on all the Statutory Objectors under the terms of The Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1994 and The Compulsory Purchase (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 2007 has now been published and is available to view along with its appendices.

Also, as they become available, all documents listed in Section 20 of the Statement of Case which the County Council will refer to or put in evidence at the Inquiries may be inspected free of charge during normal working hours until the date of the Inquiries at Lancaster Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 9SB; Morecambe Library, Central Drive, Morecambe, LA4 5DL and at the County Council Offices at Winckley House, Cross Street, Preston, PR1 3LT. They will also be available to be viewed on the County Council website.

Update January 2010

Steve McCreesh, project manager for the M6 Heysham Link at Lancashire County Council, said: "The objection period for the Compulsory Purchase Orders closed before Christmas and we have now received copies of the objections and letters of support from Government Office North East.

"In total there are 18 statutory objections (there were 19 but one has been withdrawn already), 14 letters of support and 463 non-statutory objections. Hundreds of these non-statutory objections are standard letters signed by the householder and are based on incorrect information.

"Statutory objectors are those directly affected by the scheme, and for a scheme of this size there are very few. They can be summarised as follows:

• Four statutory undertakers who the council has been in discussions with for some time and expect to reach agreement with prior to the Inquiry.
• Four businesses that are affected by varying degrees.
• Three people who rent land for pony paddocks.
• Four residents (two from the same property).
• Morecambe Town Council, Lancaster and Morecambe College and Torrisholme Cricket and Social Club.

"As expected, the Secretary of State has decided to hold a Public Inquiry and this is likely to be held in the Lancaster area in June.

"The Link road scheme includes a Park and Ride at Junction 34 with buses every eight minutes into the city centre. Many other public transport and alternatives to car usage have been and will continue to be provided by the County Council."

Update December 2009

The construction of the Heysham to M6 Link road has moved a step closer.

Lancashire County Council has now invited contractors to bid for the opportunity to construct this vital road. And, in the current economic climate, it is expected that the firms will be very keen to win. Seven firms have been invited to tender on a quality and price basis.

Project Manager for the scheme, Steven McCreesh, said: "It is important to us to get the right contractor on board. We want a firm that will deliver on time and on budget as well as working with local people to maximise the benefits and minimise any inconvenience to them.

"We want a contractor that has done this before and has an excellent track record. That's why we have to consider both quality and price.

"There have been rumours and worries locally that junction 34 would be completely closed for two years during construction of the link. This is not true. The slips roads may need to be closed at certain off peak times and, given the plans for improving the northbound sliproad this one may be closed for longer periods. However this particular access is avoided by many motorists who consider it to be a very difficult way to access the M6.

"Local consultation would be carried out as part of the project before any closures were implemented."

Tenders will be due back towards the end of January and the successful contractor will then work with the county council to look in detail at the construction sequence of the road. A series of meetings will be held with local organisations and residents to find out what worries them about the building of the road and what can be done to prevent problems.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, County Councillor Keith Young, said: "This road is vital to the area it terms of relieving congestion and providing the chance for regeneration. It provides significant benefits to local communities, such as air quality benefits to Carnforth and flood relief to Slyne. It is a substantial investment in the area and I am determined to ensure the money is well spent."

The seven firms invited to tender are Bam Nuttall, Balfour Beatty/Birse, Costain, Laing O'Rouke, Morgan Est, Roadbridge – Sisk Joint Venture and Skanska.

Further update October 2009

After extensive consultation and negotiation with affected parties the legal Orders required to complete the legal processes for the Link will be published this Thursday, 22 October 2009. There are five Orders or “Schemes” in total, namely:

• Compulsory Purchase Order – this allows us to obtain the land for the road although we have already bought various properties and are currently negotiating to buy several more.
• Side Roads Order – allows us to alter existing roads and accesses.
• Connecting Roads Scheme – allows the construction of the new slip roads at Junction 34
• Transfer of Highways Order – transfers the ownership of these slip roads to the Highways Agency
• Section 106 Scheme – allows the construction of a bridge over the Lancaster Canal

The press release (PDF format, 9Kb) explains that there is now an objection period until the 10th December and that, depending on the objections received, Government Office will then decide whether to hold a Public Inquiry. We expect there will be an Inquiry.

Update October 2009

Draft documents for the legal Orders can now be viewed by following the link below:

http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/displayDecision.asp?dtype=M&dkey=5997

The Orders will allow the County Council to purchase the land required for the scheme (if not already bought by agreement), construct the various roads and alter existing roads, transfer the proposed slip roads at Junction 34 to the Highways Agency when they are constructed and build a bridge over the Lancaster Canal.

If the Cabinet Member approves the recommendations in the report it is intended to advertise the Orders on the 15th October. This is done by writing to people directly affected, displaying notices along the route and advertising the Orders in the local newspapers.  There then follows an objection period until early December during which time objections to the proposals can be lodged. It is likely that there will then be a Public Inquiry which will be held early next spring when any objections would be considered by an independent Inspector.

Update September 2009

Updated Scheme Programme added, delay in Statutory Processes means projected Start of Works now April 2011. However Start of Works could still be brought forward if the Public Inquiry into the CPO/SRO process is arranged sooner or the Secretary of State confirms the CPO/SRO earlier.

Update July 2009

• Lancashire County Council advertorial issued (PDF Format, 114Kb).

Update January 2009

Heysham to M6 Link plans enter new phase

Plans for the Heysham to M6 link road have reached a new milestone as the government awards the scheme 'Programme Entry' status.

The Department for Transport has announced that the £137 million proposals have gained the first level of approval for the project

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Cabinet member for sustainable development said: “I am pleased that the Secretary of State has awarded us Programme Entry status. This is very positive news for the M6 Link project and means that we can move forward with the plans for this worthwhile scheme.

“The county's team will be working hard to progress the scheme through the rest of the legal processes.  Once complete the new link road should greatly improve the inter-urban road network in and around Lancaster and Heysham."

The start date for the main highway works is planned for 2010 with an expected completion date of 2014.

The proposed route connects the already built length of the A683 Heysham to M6 Link, at its junction with the A589 Morecambe Road near Torrisholme, to a fully remodelled junction 34 on the M6 motorway.

The route is a 4.8km long two-lane dual carriageway all-purpose road with intermediate junctions and a combined footway/cycleway along its full length. The scheme includes alterations to the local road network including existing junctions.

Over twenty major structures will need to be built including bridges over the West Coast Mainline railway, Lancaster Canal and the River Lune.

• Take a look at the Department for Transport press release on the announcement (PDF Format, 91Kb).

Update November 2008

1. A Planning Inquiry was held in summer 2007 and the Secretary of State granted Planning Permission in February 2008.
2. A legal challenge was lodged by a resident against the Secretary of State claiming that her decision was unlawful and that she did not follow relevant guidance.
3. The challenge was heard in the High Court on the 28th and 29th August 2008. Lancashire County Council assisted the Secretary of State in defending her decision and the challenge was overruled.
4. Furthermore the judge concluded that "there is no substance in (the) challenge.  This case is yet another illustration of the need to introduce a requirement that claimants who wish to make a challenge under section 288 of the (Town and Country Planning) Act should have to obtain the court's permission to do so, just as they have to do in respect of appeals under section 289 of the Act.  Had there been such a requirement, it is likely that permission to make this application would have been refused by the court."
5. The Department for Transport have to approve the expenditure for the scheme and the County Council are continuing to discuss the scheme with them with a view to obtaining the first level of approval (known as Programme Entry) by the end of December 2008.

1. A Planning Inquiry was held in summer 2007 and the Secretary of State granted Planning Permission in February 2008.

2. A legal challenge was lodged by a resident against the Secretary of State claiming that her decision was unlawful and that she did not follow relevant guidance.

3. The challenge will be heard in the High Court on the 28th and 29th August 2008. Lancashire County Council will assist the Secretary of State in defending her decision and expect the challenge to be overruled.

4. Work is progressing on the next Statutory Procedures required – a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the land required for the scheme and a Side Road Order (SRO) to allow the County Council to amend existing highway and private accesses. Before the CPO is processed the County Council will be writing to all the owners of property and land required for the scheme and offering to buy by agreement.

5. The “outturn” estimate for the scheme (that is the actual cost to build it including inflation up to the years of construction) is £138m. Previous estimates were in “current costs” and did not allow for inflation. The only cost increases for the scheme (apart from inflation) have been changes to the slip roads required by the Highways Agency (£3.6m) and the addition of the Park and Ride at Junction 34 (£3.5m).

6. The Regional Assembly and the Regional Development Agency both support the scheme and have recommended that £131m should be provided from the Regional Funding Allocation towards the scheme. The County Council would provide the rest of the money.

7. The Department for Transport also have to approve the expenditure and the County Council are discussing the scheme with them with a view to obtaining the first level of approval (known as Programme Entry) by the end of September 2008.

8. In order to update the traffic model a series of traffic, car parking and public transport user counts have recently been completed.

9. Further ground investigation will take place over the summer and autumn time in order to provide information on ground conditions.

10. Detailed design of all aspects of the scheme will continue. This includes the bridges, retaining walls, drainage, lighting, landscaping and ecological measures.

11. Development of Environmental Management Plans and the obtaining of the necessary approvals from the relevant statutory bodies is proceeding.