A self-financing, congestion-busting boost to tourism is the vision of a group which is calling for the building of a road link across the Ribble estuary between the Fylde coast and Southport.

Ever since 1895 when the Southport and Lytham Tramroad Company came up with a proposal to construct a transporter bridge between the towns, there has been periodic interest in reviving the idea.

Now, the Southport Party, a group interested in promoting Lancashire, is advocating the idea for a Ribble crossing to be discussed again, and claim any such link would pay for itself and could even generate electricity.

Spokesman Bryan Naylor, said: "Surely the time has come to build such a short cut across the estuary, not only to ease congestion but also to help the estimated 2,000 commuters who have to travel to work on the north side each day.

"A causeway or bridge would lead to a big interchange of tourists between Blackpool, Lytham and Southport and enhance the classic resort image that the area has enjoyed for the last 150 years.

"Over the years the county has been fragmented by bureaucracy and it's about time that we regained and strengthened our historic roots."

Mr Naylor believes that a future crossing could be financed by tolls and that the development could use the example of the massive La Rance development in Brittany, where a tidal barrier built in 1960 uses the sea to produce electricity.

The estuary at its narrowest point is around four miles between Crossens near Southport and the shore between Warton and Lytham.

Mr Naylor added: "I know the plan seems slightly fanciful but I think it's in the spirit of the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom-Brunel to promote ideas like this which will reduce journey times by more than 50 per cent."

Councillor Bill Thompson, who represents the Clifton ward on Fylde Borough Council has heard of similar proposals over the years.

He said: "It's a very interesting idea and I have heard talk about it. I think the tidal issues on that part of the estuary are a big factor and it is probably much too expensive for any serious plans to be put on the table."

A spokesman for Fylde Borough Council said that although the subject of a Ribble crossing had been raised several times in the past, there were no plans currently under discussion.