The £1 billion plans to dual a section of the A66 have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
National Highways has sent its proposal to the Planning Inspectorate. A review is expected to open in October for six months and a decision by the Secretary of State is expected by the end of 2023.
Cumbria County Council said it had focused on key issues following consultation to help mitigate concerns and the potentially negative impacts of the scheme.
These include:
- Supporting the delivery of a Scotch corner to Penrith “off A66” route suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding.
- Providing high quality and dedicated service provision for HGVs along the A66 route.
- Minimising disruption for local communities and road network during construction works.
- Ensuring that key junctions, including Kemplay Bank and M6 Junction 40 are improved sufficiently to address current and future congestion.
- Providing improvements for horse-drawn traffic accessing Appleby Horse Fair on the local road network.
- Including more and smarter technology across the A66 to bolster resilience.
- Enhancing the existing strategic diversion routes, specifically the A6 and A685
- Minimising environmental harm with a clear plan for carbon offsetting.
- Maximising the socio-economic and legacy benefits and opportunities to train and employ local people.
The county council will review the documents submitted and will have the opportunity to submit representations to raise any outstanding objections or concerns.
The project would involve making the entire route between Penrith and Scotch Corner a dual carriageway and deliver significant improvements to the A66 between J40 of the M6 at Penrith and J53 of the A1(M) at Scotch Corner.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I am delighted that the proposals to upgrade the A66 have been welcomed across the county. The county council has long advocated the need for improvements.
“Our priority is to ensure the project meets the needs of our communities and businesses, and drives economic growth in Cumbria, so we will be looking carefully at the submitted scheme and making appropriate representations at examination if necessary.
“The county council acknowledges the many potential benefits of the project but will wish to ensure that key issues are properly addressed before giving full backing to the proposed investment.
“We will continue to work closely with the Department for Transport and National Highways to maximise the benefits the project can deliver for local communities and the wider county.”
The full details of the proposed A66 upgrade improvements are available on the Department for Transport website.
