THE announcement the Burnley Bridge Business Park is to get a new £45million extension creating 1,300 new jobs has been welcomed by Lancashire County Council’s economic development boss.

Yesterday developers Eshton revealed plans to extend the park near junction nine of the M65 because of rising demand.

The new 600,000 sq ft of Burnley Bridge South on 32-acre site south of the M65 next to the A679 Accrington Road will double the number of jobs being created by the whole project to 2,700.

County Cllr Michael Green said: “This announcement which will result in new jobs for Lancashire residents is great news and a justification for the investment which is being made in Burnley Bridge and other key development sites in the area to ensure our transport infrastructure has the capacity to support economic growth.

“A loan provided through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has enabled the construction of a bridge and access road across the Leeds-Liverpool canal, linking the site directly to the M65, vital to the operation of the business park.”

Cllr Alan Hosker, UKIP representative for Hapton with Park, said: “I am delighted to see this investment.

“It clearly shows that a small amount of government investment will attract major private money which will create many jobs.”

County Cllr Green added: “Improving transport links is vital to encouraging businesses to invest, and the county council is continuing to work closely with local partners through the LEP to deliver the Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle Growth Corridor programme, which has already resulted in improvements to a number of junctions along the M65, and upgrades of the Manchester Road and Rose Grove railway stations.”