Heysham is a connection point for underwater tunnel between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in Boris Johnson's 'ambitious' plans

The government has asked chairman of Network Rail Sir Peter Hendy to make recommendations on how to improve transport connectivity between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

According to The Times, Boris Johnson has suggested that the Douglas Junction - built directly under the Isle of Man - would be connected to Belfast in Northern Ireland, Stranraer in Scotland, and Heysham and Liverpool in England.

It is understood that the tunnel could help boost post-Brexit trade.

David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: "I saw the proposals in the news over the weekend and they are certainly ambitious.

"I would be interested to see the conclusion of the Sir Peter Hendy report in the summer and see if any of these ideas are a viable proposal."

A government spokesperson said: “We have asked Sir Peter Hendy to make recommendations on how to improve transport connectivity between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

"His recommendations will be published in due course.”

Heysham already has strong connections with both the island of Ireland and The Isle of Man.

Isle of Man Steampacket Company runs twice daily crossings between Heysham and Douglas, while Heysham based Seatruck Ferries runs driverless freight to Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland, and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

Stena Line also runs crossings from Heysham to Belfast.

Alistair Eagles, CEO Seatruck Ferries said that while such a scheme was technically possible it was financially unviable.

The Times report states that the tunnel system and roundabout were proposed as it avoids crossing Beaufort's Dyke – a trench where ammunition from the second world war was dumped in the sea between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But the idea has been met with some skepticism.

Nichola Mallon, minister for infrastructure in Northern Ireland, told The Irish Times, that the idea was a "Tory glamour project".

She said: "Boris Johnson has had many new plans mooted for Northern Ireland, be it the Boris Bridge or Boris’ Burrow but it would be better for Boris to be focusing his efforts less on Tory glamour projects and more on fixing the multiple problems in front of him.”