PLANS for a £1 billion science research centre in the Selby district could see a bypass built around a village which suffers from traffic jams, and millions of pounds of investment in the town.

That is the message from leading councillor Brian Percival, who is pressing the Government and highways bosses to include a multi-million pound relief road at Escrick in the scheme.

He said cash could also be poured into local schools and hospitals if the European Spallation Source (ESS) centre, planned for Burn Airfield, goes ahead.

Coun Percival, head of Selby District Council's Economic Board, said the £4.8 million bypass at Burn that is linked to the scheme must also be a priority.

He said: "There has got to be a big improvement in roads infrastructure for this project because it will be linking York to the Selby area and then on to the M62.

"Currently a bypass at Escrick is not on anybody's list of priorities. We do not want to be seeing traffic getting snarled up going through the village.

"It is such an important part of the plan. We have also got to ensure the village of Burn is not swamped."

Coun Percival was speaking after the Council For The Central Laboratory Of The Research Councils said the Government should investigate the cost to the local economy of the research centre.

The group said researchers, the Treasury, the Department Of Trade And Industry and local authorities should produce a detailed study of its social and economic costs.

The pioneering research facility - which will investigate "the building blocks of life" - could bring 2,000 jobs to the area and thousands more during its four-year construction.

Coun Percival, pictured, said the project could lead to huge investment in local facilities because of the new arrivals and boost the town's economy.

He said: "Without a doubt, it will be the biggest building project the district has ever seen, even beyond the mines.

"We need to integrate those people who are coming into the community, rather than into a caravan ghetto.

"It will be a substantial economic boost for the town. It will be a scientific community and they need to be accommodated within the general community rather than isolated in a science village."

The centre, being spearheaded by Yorkshire Forward, and the universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield, depends on Government funding that will not be decided until 2008.

Yorkshire also faces tough competing bids for the European centre from Germany, Hungary and Sweden.

Updated: 10:09 Wednesday, April 26, 2006