TRANSPORT bosses are set to fund a major scheme to improve links between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

The £300,000 Trans-Pennine Road Study will examine plans to improve or expand road connections between the M65 and communities like Skipton in North Yorkshire and Keighley and Bradford in West Yorkshire.

Launching the scheme last week, transport secretary Chris Grayling said: "This study is part of our ongoing work to ensure the routes between Lancashire and Yorkshire are fit for the future – helping link communities better and boosting the economy to supercharge the Northern Powerhouse."

If it is approved, the project would work on connections from the end of the M65 at Colne.

The organisation behind the study, Highways England, says investment to upgrade this section of road would also help to relieve congestion on the M6 and M60 in the future.

This assessment will be followed by analysis of options – and will consider the difficult terrain, environmental impacts and economic growth.

Chief executive Jim O’ Sullivan said: "This study will look at the issues currently facing road users in the trans-Pennine corridor, the extent to which the lack of strategic connection hinders growth, and options for improving those journeys and boosting economic growth. It will also look at how improvements could be used to support other trans-Pennine routes such as the M62."