A NEW road linking the Keighley area to the M65 is one step closer after the government announced a major study.

And a Councillor who has been calling for such a link for years has welcomed the news, saying it could prove a "huge boost" for the Keighley area.

Highways England will lead the £300,000 study looking at major improvements to road links between the M65 in East Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has today announced.

The study – due to start in next month – will consider what enhancements could be made to road connections between the end of the M65 at Colne and Keighley and Skipton.

Mr Grayling said: "We are investing more than £13billion to improve transport across the North so people can get around more easily, quickly and safely. 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.”

Beyond the M65, there is currently no consistent strategic route for trans-Pennine traffic, with the limited alternative routes suffering from congestion and drivers facing poor journey times given the large distances involved.

The M65 route between Preston and Leeds is five miles shorter than journeys via the M62 but takes 40 minutes longer.

The Government says the corridor is home to many manufacturing industries which could benefit from improved roads, and that the investment could boost economic growth in East Lancashire, West and North Yorkshire and beyond.

Local politicians have for years believed such a route could provide a much-needed alternative trans-Pennine route to the often congested M62.

Bradford Council recently raised the issue, saying business had called for such a link and that it "would deliver huge economic benefits to the region, particularly the Aire Valley and Keighley."

Councillor Simon Cooke (Cons, Bingley Rural) said the road would be a "really good opportunity."

On hearing the latest news he said: "For the Northern side of the District this is enormously important.

"For places like Keighley it will be a real boost. It is great news, and it goes alongside the government looking at rail links in this area. New road and rail links would give a real boost to Keighley and the surrounding areas in terms of getting them better connected."

Highways England 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.”