Lancashire is a county in the North West of England with a rich and vibrant history.
Location
Lancashire is located on the west coast of England, bordered by Cumbria to the north, Manchester to the east and Merseyside and Greater Manchester to the south. It also has access to Liverpool Bay in the northwest.
Motorway Access
The M6 motorway links Lancashire with Scotland in the north, Birmingham in the east and London in the south. To its west lies the M58, connecting it with Southport and Liverpool. Other main roads include the M61, which runs through the county from Bolton to Preston.
Logistics
The port of Heysham is Lancashire's primary outlet for cargo and freight traffic, with frequent ferry services running to Ireland. There are also numerous airports in the region offering domestic and international flights. The nearest major airport is Manchester Airport, located 35 miles east of Lancaster.
Industry
Lancashire has a diverse industrial base, with heavy manufacturing industries such as aerospace, nuclear power generation and petrochemicals all having significant presences in the area. The county is also home to a number of important agricultural areas, and has recently seen an upsurge in the IT and biotechnology sectors.
Population
As of 2017, the population of Lancashire was estimated at 1.5 million people. This makes it the seventh most populous region in England, with around 18% of its residents living within the cities of Preston and Lancaster.
Investment
The local government in Lancashire has invested heavily in infrastructure development in recent years, helping to boost economic activity across the county. There have been new transport links established between some of its major towns and cities, with key projects such as the Preston Bypass helping to reduce traffic congestion. The government has also committed to developing renewable energy sources, making Lancashire one of the leading regions for green energy in England.
