Over 30 changes have been made to a design scheme for the full dualling of the A66 from Penrith to Scotch Corner.
In Eden, for the stretch from Penrith to Brough, National Highways is proposing 27 alterations and residents will be able to find out more at a series of information events. The first is at Kirkby Thore memorial hall on Tuesday, 31st January. They all take place from 3pm to 7pm.
There will also be an event at Warcop village hall, on Wednesday, 1st February, followed by a session at Penrith Methodist Church, in the town’s Wordsworth Street, on Monday, 6th February.
A National Highways spokesman said the majority of the changes were minor and more details would be available in the brochure and on its website when the consultation begins later this week.
On the section between Appleby and Brough, the Langrigg westbound junction is set to be removed and a realignment is being proposed for the de-trunked A66 to be closer to the new dual carriageway at Warcop.
There is also set to be a noise barrier constructed south of Brough plus a revised land plan for Cafe Sixty Six.
From Temple Sowerby to Appleby, the proposal is to remove both the Priest Lane underpass and Roger Head Farm overbridge, while on the section from Temple Sowery to Penrith the junction for the sewage treatment works and private residence from the A66 is set to be removed, with provision instead for an alternative access from the B6262.
In addition, a reorientation of the Kemplay Bank junction is proposed along with the realignment of the walking and cycling route at Skirsgill.
The spokesman added: “National Highways has taken on board feedback from the public and other stakeholders as well as suggested improvements from delivery partners Balfour Beatty, Costain, Keltbray and Kier — and will present these changes at a public consultation starting later this month.”
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project aims to dual the remaining single carriageway along a 50-mile stretch of the A66 at a cost of £1.3bn.
The project is also part of the Department for Transport’s Project Speed initiative, halving the time to build the scheme from 10 years to five.
In total, there are 32 changes to the original design, prompting the need for consultation.
The consultation will begin on Saturday, 28th January and end on Monday, 27th February.
Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project director, said: “The communities and public from Penrith all the way to Scotch Corner have been hugely helpful in shaping our project and we have taken a large amount of feedback on board.
“We appreciate there have been previous consultations, but we are keen to make sure this project is as beneficial to as many people as possible.
“I would like to thank the public for their patience and would urge them to have their say on the latest developments,” he added.
