A COUNCILLOR from Hyndburn is heading a regional campaign to create a new road link from East Lancashire to Yorkshire.

Hyndburn Cllr Noordad Aziz, who represents Netherton, is calling on the government to invest in the Central Pennine Corridor, a new road link between the M65 and A1.

Politicians and councillors believe the move would provide a much-needed alternative trans-Pennine route to the 'congested' M62.

At present, the M65 runs for 26 miles from south of Preston through Lancashire towns including Blackburn and Burnley before ending in Colne.

The aim of the campaign, which has been in motion for over a year, is to drive economic growth in the North.

It is believed the new access route would create new jobs prospects for people in East Lancashire and provide faster and better links for businesses in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The borough councillor said: "I think this is a very important infrastructure development project.

"There needs to be a new route to help drive economic growth in Hyndburn, Blackburn, Nelson and Brierfield which are becoming some of the most deprived parts of the UK.

"A new route to a place like Leeds will create the job opportunities for young people multiplies.

""I want to raise awareness and get people on board and establish and need for this in the region.

"I would urge local businesses and residents to write a letter to your local MP to highlight this issue and can bring this forward to Parliament.

"That way our message will become more powerful."

Any potential move come after a firm commitment was made by the Labour party in re-establishing the Skipton to Colne Rail link.

MPs from Hyndburn, Burnley and Blackburn have pledged their support to the campaign which they believe would be a 'big driver' for economic growth in the North.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern, who is also supporting the campaign said: "The infrastructure in the North West is abysmal and the number of trains broken down is appalling.

"Any investment that would make better links across the North West for residents to access jobs and anything else would be welcomed."

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: "It's a major infrastructure project that has drawn industry, government, residents and councils together.

"I think Transport for North (TFN) are currently looking at the Pennine Corridor both for rail and road.

"I think it's a project that needs to go ahead and would regenerate a vast number of places in the North.

"It would be a big driver for economic growth."