People who live and work along the A66 are being urged to have another say on the £1 billion dualling project between Penrith and Scotch Corner.
National Highways has announced further consultation targeting specific areas where there are opportunities to make revisions to the proposed route, following more than 1,250 responses from a first round of consultation that ended in November.
A spokesman said: “Following our statutory consultation in autumn 2021, our design has changed at certain locations as we have continued to refine our plans in response to the statutory consultation feedback.
“As a result, we will be carrying out a targeted consultation with specific landowners and communities who may be impacted by our latest designs at several locations including Temple Sowerby to Appleby, Appleby to Brough (Warcop west), Appleby to Brough (Warcop central) and M6 Junction 40 to Kemplay Bank open space.
“We’ll be asking for feedback on the specific design changes, but not on wider aspects of the scheme as that information was gathered at the statutory consultation in autumn 2021.”
The A66 upgrades have proved particularly controversial between Appleby and Brough, where community activists support the dualling but argue the proposed route does not take into account the needs of local people and should be moved further north.
David Keetley, chairman of Warcop Parish Council and one of the campaigners at the forefront of the fight for a more northerly route, said a productive meeting took place in November between county, district and parish councillors, and the team from National Highways.
While he said he was optimistic they were taking considerations seriously, a full northern bypass was rejected, but his hope still remains for a more northern route that would minimise concerns of residents whose houses would be brought closer to a four-lane highway.
Another area of the route which is proving problematic is in Penrith between the M6 junction and Kemplay Bank roundabout. Residents are concerned that green spaces next to Clifford Road which are currently used as a park will be bought by National Highways.
Crucial to campaigners in both areas is the fact that this road will likely remain in place for very many years, so making sure it works for locals is of the utmost importance.
This supplementary period started on Friday January 28 and will run until February 27.
For the online consultation hub, visit the following:
Appleby to Brough: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/17498164
M6 Junction 40 to Kemplay Bank: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/40d4915c
Bowes Bypass Hulands Quarry: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/c7d97267
Temple Sowerby to Appleby: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/5350e278
In-person events will be held at Warcop Village Hall today from 3pm to 7pm and tomorrow from 8am to 2pm for the Appleby to Brough scheme and at Penrith Cricket Club on February 9 from 8am to 2pm for Junction 41 to Kemplay Bank roundabout.
