The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has welcomed news that the M6 to Heysham link road has received the green light.

Construction of the link road is expected to start this summer following approval from the UK Secretary of State for Transport after a lengthy planning and public inquiry process. It is scheduled to open to traffic in 2015.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘The new road will vastly improve transport links for the Heysham and Morecambe area in general. From our perspective, we’re obviously pleased because of the access it will provide from Heysham Port to the M6, avoiding the necessity of having to travel through Lancaster.

‘We have been lobbying for a link road for some time, alongside Heysham Port owner Peel Ports and others, as it will mean a much quicker drive to and from the M6 for our passengers and freight customers.’