A NEW £430 million business and industrial park at the western end of the M65 has been welcomed as a major step in making the motorway an major employment and investment corridor.

East Lancashire politicians and business leaders believe the Cuerden Strategic Site will not only create 2,500 jobs on a 160 acre site near Preston but boost growth in Blackburn, Burnley and as far as Pendle.

The scheme, unveiled yesterday (FRI), will take 10 years to complete subject to planning permission from South Ribble Council on November 6.

The Lancashire County Council project is a part of the Preston City Deal, and comes on top of the £12.4 million Lancashire Enterprise Park plan at BAE Systems Samlesbury site.

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms and MPs Jack Straw, Gordon Birtwistle, and Nigel Evans believe it is major step forward.

County council leader Jenny Mein said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity which adds real value to Lancashire's employment offer as a whole.”

Mr Damms said: “This is good news for the east of the county, building on the enterprise park development at Samlesbury, “It will help confirm the M65 corridor as a place to invest and create jobs right across to Burnley and Pendle.

“It all helps persuade firms to come to our area creating jobs and prosperity.

“It makes the M56 a real artery for people to travel for work both East and West.”

Blackburn Labour MP Mr Straw: “I was instrumental in bringing the extension of the M65 to Preston.

“This will confirm that motorway as a corridor for investment and employment across East Lancashire and benefit Blackburn as well.”

Burnley Liberal Democrat Gordon Birtwistle said: “This well and truly helps establish the M65 as a corridor for investment and employment.

“It links in with the enterprise park at Samlesbury and what we are doing in the borough including the Burnley Bridge business park.

“This latest development benefits the whole of East Lancashire and will provide employment for people in Burnley using the M65.”

Ribble Valley Tory Mr Evans said: “With the BAE Enterprise Park at Samlesbury, this is further good news for jobs locally and confirms the M65 as a major employment and business corridor.”