Today's opening of the long anticipated M6 Link road, newly named the Bay Gateway, is a momentous day for everyone in Morecambe and Lunesdale.
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling MP said:
'I am pleased that this Government has delivered the M6 Link road and it is now open. Transport infrastructure is vitally important in coastal communities and this road allows Morecambe and Heysham to compete economically on a level playing field with other areas.
The M6 Link Road not only opens up Morecambe for investment but by allowing haulage to move between the Port in Heysham and the M6, it will alleviate local traffic in the area.
It is fantastic to see a local champion in David Morris MP who has fought tirelessly to secure the funding for this road so that it can finally be built.'
Speaking ahead of the opening of the road David Morris MP said:
'When I was first elected in 2010 I made it my personal mission to get the funding for this road approved. Previous political leadership in the area had been opposed to this route and therefore until I came along no-one was fighting our corner and the road would never had been built.
I badgered the roads Minister every day for 6 months until finally he announced that the M6 Link would be built.
For our area this road is much more than a by-pass but is the cutting open of a chrysalis to unveil a butterfly inside. The road opens up our area to investment and allows Morecambe and Heysham to shine without the reliance on anywhere else.
The benefits of this road will be many and far reaching but it's main purpose will be to take Haulage off the local roads and onto the link road to the motorway, this will free up traffic in the area. This road will also have a positive effect on house prices and bring new business into the area. When the money was secured there was a report this said for every £1 of Government funding £4.50 will go into the economy. I actually believe that this road will far surpass that and will be even more if the LEP back my idea for an Enterprise Zone off White Lund.
In my role it is easy to become complacent about the Government funding I have secured as it is just a number on piece of paper. But seeing the road and what £111 million of Central Government looks like and the knowledge that something you worked so hard to secure will change your area forever it feels like a huge personal achievement and it is really fantastic to be able to drive down it!'