In 2021, we asked National Highways to undertake a study looking at possible interventions on or around the M65 at Colne. That study focused on localised congestion pinch points on that road, which is owned and managed by Lancashire County Council. It concluded in 2022, and the findings were handed over to the council and Transport for the North. It is for them to decide what further action they may wish to take as a result, but I know they will, and they certainly should, attend closely to what my hon. Friend said.

In 2021, we asked National Highways to undertake a study looking at possible interventions on or around the M65 at Colne. That study focused on localised congestion pinch points on that road, which is owned and managed by Lancashire County Council. It concluded in 2022, and the findings were handed over to the council and Transport for the North. It is for them to decide what further action they may wish to take as a result, but I know they will, and they certainly should, attend closely to what my hon. Friend said.

Junction 11 of the M65 currently only allows traffic to join going eastwards towards Colne, where the motorway ends, and not westwards towards the M6, opening up the whole country. The result is a majorly congested Burnley town centre and a limit to economic opportunity. Could my right hon. Friend set out what funding opportunities are available for a viability study into a westwards slip road?

Junction 11 of the M65 currently only allows traffic to join going eastwards towards Colne, where the motorway ends, and not westwards towards the M6, opening up the whole country. The result is a majorly congested Burnley town centre and a limit to economic opportunity. Could my right hon. Friend set out what funding opportunities are available for a viability study into a westwards slip road?

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to work with Transport for the North to expand the M65 to Bradford and Leeds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to work with Transport for the North to expand the M65 to Bradford and Leeds.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the M65 from Colne to Keighley.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the M65 from Colne to Keighley.

Highways England has gathered evidence about the performance of the strategic road network, and future pressures on it, to inform the decisions we have taken as part of the second road investment strategy. This process of evidence gathering and public consultation has taken into consideration the idea of extending the M65.

Highways England has gathered evidence about the performance of the strategic road network, and future pressures on it, to inform the decisions we have taken as part of the second road investment strategy. This process of evidence gathering and public consultation has taken into consideration the idea of extending the M65.

The Secretary of State has invested in the idea of a rail link between Liverpool and Hull, connecting the east and west through the central low Pennines. Do the Government accept that a road link would be complementary? It would go through deprived communities and provide a huge economic uplift. Do the Government recognise that this is the great northern powerhouse project?

The Secretary of State has invested in the idea of a rail link between Liverpool and Hull, connecting the east and west through the central low Pennines. Do the Government accept that a road link would be complementary? It would go through deprived communities and provide a huge economic uplift. Do the Government recognise that this is the great northern powerhouse project?

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, we are already investing £1.5 billion in road systems in the north-west. Of course the M65 is, in a way, a legendary road because it ends in a carpark, and no one thinks that is a satisfactory arrangement. I would welcome a further conversation with him about this, but the situation is far from straightforward.

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, we are already investing £1.5 billion in road systems in the north-west. Of course the M65 is, in a way, a legendary road because it ends in a carpark, and no one thinks that is a satisfactory arrangement. I would welcome a further conversation with him about this, but the situation is far from straightforward.

Will Ministers also look favourably on restoring a rail link between Keighley and Colne by restoring the Skipton to Colne rail link,

starting in the Government Chief Whip’s constituency? Will they look carefully at the feasibility study that is under way?

Will Ministers also look favourably on restoring a rail link between Keighley and Colne by restoring the Skipton to Colne rail link,

starting in the Government Chief Whip’s constituency? Will they look carefully at the feasibility study that is under way?

That is something we will certainly be looking at carefully.

That is something we will certainly be looking at carefully.

The northern powerhouse is supposedly a cornerstone of Government policy, but it was not mentioned in yesterday’s Budget statement. When are the Government going to facilitate a debate on the northern powerhouse, so that we can talk about the most significant project that needs to be completed: the M65 east-west...

The northern powerhouse is supposedly a cornerstone of Government policy, but it was not mentioned in yesterday’s Budget statement. When are the Government going to facilitate a debate on the northern powerhouse, so that we can talk about the most significant project that needs to be completed: the M65 east-west...

I am glad the hon. Gentleman has raised the northern powerhouse, because the Government have set out a northern powerhouse strategy to boost productivity throughout the north of England. The next steps include moves on the northern powerhouse schools strategy; more than half a billion pounds of local growth fund...

I am glad the hon. Gentleman has raised the northern powerhouse, because the Government have set out a northern powerhouse strategy to boost productivity throughout the north of England. The next steps include moves on the northern powerhouse schools strategy; more than half a billion pounds of local growth fund...

The policy of transferring to local highway authorities the responsibility for trunk roads that are considered to be non-core was first set out in the White Paper ““A New Deal for Transport””, published in July 1998 (Cm 3950). Following advice from the Highways Agency, informed by discussions with the relevant...

The policy of transferring to local highway authorities the responsibility for trunk roads that are considered to be non-core was first set out in the White Paper ““A New Deal for Transport””, published in July 1998 (Cm 3950). Following advice from the Highways Agency, informed by discussions with the relevant...

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Tom Harris) has made the following Ministerial Statement. The policy of transferring to local highway authorities the responsibility for trunk roads that are considered to be non-core was first set out in the White Paper A New Deal for Transport,...

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Tom Harris) has made the following Ministerial Statement. The policy of transferring to local highway authorities the responsibility for trunk roads that are considered to be non-core was first set out in the White Paper A New Deal for Transport,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans for trial use of the hard shoulder as a running lane on the M65.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans for trial use of the hard shoulder as a running lane on the M65.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by whom the decision was made to name the Services at junction 4 of the M65 motorway The Blackburn Services; and who was consulted before the decision was taken. - Text of letter from Tim Matthews of Highways Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by whom the decision was made to name the Services at junction 4 of the M65 motorway The Blackburn Services; and who was consulted before the decision was taken. - Text of letter from Tim Matthews of Highways Agency.

SI 2000/2705 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 30 October 2000.

SI 2000/2705 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 30 October 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, for what reasons resurfacing work is being carried out on parts of the M65 at Blackburn. - Text of letter from Lawrie Haynes of Highways Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, for what reasons resurfacing work is being carried out on parts of the M65 at Blackburn. - Text of letter from Lawrie Haynes of Highways Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the cost per mile of constructing the M6-M65 link.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the cost per mile of constructing the M6-M65 link.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact on Colne of the increased traffic resulting from the completion of the M65-M6 link. - Inc figs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact on Colne of the increased traffic resulting from the completion of the M65-M6 link. - Inc figs.