The public examination of plans to make the A66 a full dual carriageway from Penrith to Scotch Corner has heard passionate pleas for a northern route between Brough and Appleby to be taken.
Should planning approval be granted for the £1 billion scheme following a planning inquiry, which is expected to last six months, the aim is upgrade the entire route by the end of the decade.
At a hearing, held at The Witham, Barnard Castle, to look at alternative route options, Joy Thompson, aged 90, of Low Broomrigg, Warcop, made a plea for the dual carriageway to go north of the current A66, rather than south, on the Appleby-Brough section — especially at the proposed new Langrigg junction.
“Instead of enlarging the present road south of the existing road, causing noise and disruption to the present buildings — some of them would be very close to the road — the creation of a good, wide route somewhat further north could be a great success,” said Mrs Thompson.
Her daughter, Dr Mary Clare Martin, said Low Broomrigg, a cottage between Flitholme and the Great Musgrave turn-off, had belonged to the family for 70 years and she had always considered it “one of the most unspoilt and beautiful places in the country”.
She said the field next to it will be filled with roads and sink ponds which was going to be very destructive of the environment.
“I am particularly worried about the impact it will have on two 90-year-olds who are living right on the edge of it,” she said and added that living with the construction works alone was a daunting prospect for them.
David Keetley, chairman of Warcop Parish Council, said a survey of more than 300 local residents, was conducted, with 94 per cent in favour of a more northerly route.
Billy Welch, leader of the Gypsy community, was also there to speak in favour of the dual carriageway going north of the current A66.
According to the present plans, the ancestral site of the gypsies at Brough Hill Fair would be moved from its current location to an “inferior one” next to the new road.
Richard Allen has been appointed as the lead member of the examining authority which has been tasked with the job of looking at the Development Consent Order for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project.
The examination will take place over six months, with the Secretary of State’s decision anticipated before the end of 2023.
