Public responses in following A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project consultation

National Highways has published its consultation report, following the feedback from more than 1,200 people on the £1 billion A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project. The road runs east to west across northern England, providing access to the North Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, and Lake District National Park.

The route between the M6 Junction 40 and A1 at Scotch Corner will be improved by dualling remaining single carriageway sections of the A66 and upgrading key junctions.

The provision of walking, cycling and horse riding (WCH) routes has been a major talking point, and additional routes are being proposed in some areas. On the road between Appleby and Brough, an alternative to the proposed replacement for the travelling community’s Brough Hill Fair site is also being considered. A site to the east of Warcop on Ministry of Defence owned land was originally earmarked, but a location 1.6 miles east of the current location is now also being considered.

Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 project director, said: “We have listened to the local communities and stakeholders on the issue of WCH, which was one of the most requested topics during consultation. We’ve maintained and relocated any severed WCH routes which cross the new road, and now we’re proposing extra routes. Our new routes will deliver wider connectivity.”