A SOUTH Lakeland businessman representing a consortium of private investors behind visionary plans to build a 12-mile causeway linking Barrow and Heysham has been inundated with messages of support.

David Brockbank has received dozens of "positive" calls, letters and e-mails praising the project and has been very encouraged by the response.

"I can't see where there is a flaw in the plan except for the effect it could have on the environment," said Mr Brockbank.

He is asking Lancaster University to carry out a research project, combining the knowledge and skills of the engineering, environmental and social faculties.

"They will be impartial and are trusted by the community. The debate is then heavily in the public domain with the facts in hand," said Mr Brockbank. "I would rather do that than commission our own report."

Mr Brockbank added that he was also looking at setting up a Barrow Bridge Partnership that would be made up of local MPs and representatives from Government agencies to give the project more acceptability.

Lancaster City Council has written to Mr Brockbank to say that any planning application he submits will have to be referred to the Department of Trade and Industry, which is setting up "a one-stop shop" for dealing with applications on Crown land.

The Gazette revealed last week that an international consortium of private investors was behind the plan which it is estimated would create 2,000 jobs, reduce travel times between the two ports, produce renewable power through tide and wind turbines and cut carbon dioxide emissions.

April 11, 2003 09:30