Long-awaited M55 link road could start within months

Fylde MP Mark Menzies is hopeful that work on the long-awaited link road from Fylde to the M55 could start within months.
MP Mark Menzies at the long-closed Moss Road - could a funding package agreement be close?MP Mark Menzies at the long-closed Moss Road - could a funding package agreement be close?
MP Mark Menzies at the long-closed Moss Road - could a funding package agreement be close?

Roads minister John Hayes pledged in a meeting with Mr Menzies to do all he can to ensure it is built as soon as possible.

The meeting took place within hours of Prime Minister Theresa May praising the Fylde representative for his work on pressing for the link road to be built.

Mr Menzies said: “It was an extremely productive meeting.

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“The minister is very aware of how critical it is that we get the M55 link road built.

“He is personally extremely supportive of the project and is keen to work with me to see the road finally built.

“As soon as the minister has completed his assessment of how well the development plan is progressing he will report back to me on the details of the funding arrangements that will enable construction to begin.

A spokesman for highways authority Lancashire County Council said: “We are currently awaiting the outcome of the funding bid submitted by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to Highways England towards delivering this scheme.”

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Raising the issue of funding the road at Prime Minister’s Question Time, Mr Menzies said: “I welcome last week’s Autumn Statement and the announcement of £556m for infrastructure in the North of England.

“Can my honourable friend the Prime Minister do all that she can to ensure this project for jobs and employment, is delivered without delay?”

The Prime Minister answered: “Can I commend my honourable friend for the hard work I know he has put in relation to this project?

“I understand there is to be a significant sum of funding from a developer and my honourable friend has been working with the developer and the county council on this issue.

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“The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has submitted a linked bid to Highways England and it is being actively considered and I understand my honourable friend is meeting the minister for transport to discuss this in more detail.”

Mr Menzies said he is hopeful that work can start on the road before the end of the financial year in April 2017, with a completion date of 2019.