UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has granted approval for the £123m project to construct a Heysham to M6 link road in Lancashire, England.

The new programme, which is one of Lancashire Country Council’s top priority transport projects, is expected to boost economic growth and offer better transport on the Morecambe and Heysham peninsula.

Of the total £123m, the Department for Transport will contribute £111m and Lancashire County Council will fund the remaining £12m.

Lancashire County councillor Tim Ashton said that the M6 link is not just a road-building scheme, but also an engine for economic growth across the whole region.

"The new road will reduce congestion and greatly increase the potential for investment in the surrounding area," Ashton added.

The proposed section will link the Heysham peninsula directly to the M6, offering better access to Morecambe and industrial areas, which include the Port of Heysham and the Heysham power stations.

"The M6 link is not just a road-building scheme, but also an engine for economic growth across the whole region."

The project will also reduce congestion in the Lancaster area particularly on Caton Road, Morecambe Road, and the Greyhound and Skerton bridges.

The scheme is expected to employ 3,000 people during construction, with a minimum of 100 local unemployed people expected to receive training and jobs during construction.

According to a study, for every £1 invested, the link road will earn £6 for the local community.

The link road project features a variety of associated improvements such as a park and ride scheme with buses running into Lancaster city centre, as well as bus priority, cycle and walking measures.

The project also includes a number of eco-friendly measures, such as improving wildlife habitats, tree cover and watercourses.