A66 dualling given green light by Government
It comes after years of campaigning.
Millions of commuters and businesses across the North West are set to benefit from quicker journeys, as funding for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route is confirmed, the Government has announced today.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer’s money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier.
"With over £92 billion investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the North and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.
"We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity."
The Government believe that completing dualling of the A66 will increase capacity, improving journey times and connectivity from the North West to the A1 and Darlington, Stockton –on-Tees and Middlesborough beyond improving access along the route for towns and villages such as Kirkby Thore, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Warcop and Brough.
The scheme will help deliver the Government’s Plan for Change commitment to build 1.5 million new homes, supporting 10,000 new homes in Carlisle’s planned ‘St Cuthberts Garden Village’.
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route will create a continuous dual carriageway between the M6 at Penrith and A1(M) at Scotch Corner, significantly improving reliability and shaving up to 12 minutes off journeys.
Freight connections will be significantly improved, as 25% of the current traffic on the road is made up of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), more than twice the national average for a road of this kind.
It comes following years of campaigning by Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.
The scheme was on hold shortly after the new Labour Government came into power, accusing the previous Conservative administration of failing to set aside the funds to take it forward.
A petition run by Tim and local Lib Dem councillors in Eden gathered more than 2000 signatures of support for the upgrades and was presented to Parliament back in March.
Speaking this morning Tim said: "I’m absolutely over the moon that the Government has finally approved vital plans to upgrade the A66.
"These huge improvements are long overdue, and will be essential to reducing congestion, boosting our economy, and saving lives.
"I’m so grateful to the incredible support we’ve had from local people who have helped us to win this campaign. I also want to pay tribute to the many people and organisations who have fought for this vital upgrade over many, many years."
It comes as the Government greenlights over fifty road and rail upgrades across the country, as part of the £92 billion of transport investment in the Spending Review, supporting 42,000 jobs, enabling 1.5 million new homes, and improving connectivity for 50,000 people as part of its Plan for Change.