Proposals for the biggest generational investment on the A66 have taken a step forward this week.

The Planning Inspectorate has accepted National Highways' Development Consent Order (DCO) application, meaning the £1bn A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project moves to the next stage.

The scheme will lead to dualling the remaining single carriageway sections of the A66 and key junctions between the A1 at Scotch Corner and the M6 Junction 40 at Penrith improved.

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The DCO application was submitted on June 21 and on Tuesday (July 19) the Planning Inspectorate confirmed the project can now move onto the pre-examination stage.

The submission came following a series of consultations with local communities which began last autumn.

More than 1,200 people and organisations provided feedback on the designs and National Highways also held several public information events along the route where more than 1,500 people attended.

Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project director, said: “We are pleased that our DCO submission has been successful and accepted by the Planning Inspectorate and this marks another significant milestone for this important project.

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“I’d like to thank the members of the public and stakeholders for their input throughout the consultation process and we will continue to keep them informed of the latest developments in relation to the project.”

Should the proposals be approved as a result of the Planning Inspectorate’s process, and the Secretary of State’s decision given, work on the project is expected to start in 2024.

 

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