A significant step forward has been taken over plans for a major new road south of Carlisle - as officials opened talks with dozens of landowners.

Transport experts are now investigating possible routes for a Southern Carlisle Link Road, connecting the A595 with the M6.

The proposed road - regarded as key to the city's economic growth prospects - has been given a major boost as officials began discussions with those who may be affected.

The £370,000 study will investigate the economic case for pressing ahead with the new route, looking at its likely costs and the economic benefits.

One politician said the proposed route was the last “missing link” for Carlisle's roads infrastructure.

Though officials stress the scheme is at a very early stage and no decisions have been made, politicians – including the city's MP John Stevenson – insist a southern link road could transform Carlisle's economy.

The investigation is being done by the support services firm Capita and funded by Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council and the government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The new road would be vital to the proposed St Cuthbert's Garden Village project, which could see up to 10,000 new homes built to the south of the city.

“Carlisle's northern development route has been a huge success and building a southern development route is the logical next step,” said Mr Stevenson.

“It would allow the city to expand naturally.

“It would open up the garden city area and give better connectivity between the M6 and the A595.

"Often the economic boost provided by such infrastructure projects is far greater than that suggested by desktop studies.

“You can create a virtuous cycle of economic growth and development.”

Though work on a southern link road is unlikely to start for several years, Mr Stevenson said he was convinced it will happen. He added: “Cities are a driver for increased prosperity and development.

“That's recognised internationally, and I want to make sure Carlisle is a part of that.”

The proposed Southern Link Road would connect the A595 near Peter Lane, south of Carlisle, to Junction 42 of the M6. County Council officials say it would vastly improve transport links between east and west Cumbria.

The road would also cut congestion in Carlisle city centre, allowing motorists to more rapidly join the M6 and east-bound routes such as the A69.

Formal bids for the funding for project – which would cost between £100m and £200m ­- would only be submitted after officials have identified potential routes and set out why it would be worth it in a so-called “business case” document.

Officials stress there will be full public consulation on any plans.

David Southward, the county council’s cabinet member for economic development and property, said: “It's important to stress that this is very much early investigative work.

“Cumbria County Council, as the Highways Authority, is looking at potential route options across land to the south of the city.

“As part of this early investigatory work we are now starting a conversation with land owners in this area.

“It must be stressed that this is preliminary work to inform options for a proposed southern link road and any future proposals will require extensive public consultation before any final decisions are made.”

Carlisle City Council Leader Colin Glover welcomed the investigation.

He said: “It's important to understand we're at an early stage but we very quickly saw the benefits of Carlisle's northern development route.

"It's always been our vision to do something similar to the south of the city.

“The garden village plan has helped take that forward.

"But this route is very much the missing link for Carlisle. It would significantly improve connectivity and ease traffic pressure on other parts of the city.”

Alison Hatcher, the senior Cumbria County Council manager overseeing the work, said: “One of the biggest challenges we have in Cumbria is the low population that we have, which means we struggle to recruit.

“We also have an ageing population.

“We need to attract more working age people and families to come to live in Carlisle.

"The new garden village would be an important part of that growth but we need the infrastructure to support this growth.

“This project is about enabling that growth.

“We know that people make decisions about where they live partly based on perceptions around connectivity to other places.

"It's also about trying to get traffic out of the city and improving east west connectivity.

“There's still a lot of technical work to do.”

The investigation will continue until October, and is likely to produce up to six possible routes for the new road.

A preferred route is likely to be decided upon next year, though there will be public consultation at every stage.

Proposals will include flood mitigation measures along the route.

Mrs Hatcher added: “It's early days, but we hope at the end of this stage to have an outline business case which will determine whether we have a proceedable scheme.

"It has to stack up as a business case and as a viable route.”

Ministers have formally approved plans for 14 new “garden villages” at locations across the country, including the one south of Carlisle.

The projects are supported by access to technical expertise, and new "planning freedoms".

Carlisle's City Council's application for the St Cuthbert's garden village focused on sites between Junction 42 of the M6 Motorway and the A595.

Mr Stevenson, who lobbied ministers to support the garden village application, praised the city council for its work on the project, saying it made a new link road more likely.

About 60 properties are to be surveyed as experts look for a possible link road route.

Letters have been sent to 35 owners whose permission is needed for access to their land.