Government urged to scrap A66 Scotch Corner dualling

Work had been expected to start in early 2025 on upgrading the notorious 50-mile stretch between Scotch Corner and Penrith to a full dual carriageway after the project was approved in March by the then Transport Secretary.

Supporters of the road have said that road safety, faster journeys, and less congestion will all be factors in upgrading the route. 

But transport campaigners have now urged the government to scrap the A66 project in favour of more spending on public transport on the stretch of road, which encompasses North Yorkshire, County Durham and Cumbria.

A66 where it changes to single lane (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Under the suggestions, which are from the Campaign for Better Transport, the group has urged the government to remove the planning order granted for the A66 and called the idea that dualling the road would ease congestion 'a myth'.

Michael Solomon Williams from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “The Government should revoke the planning order for the A66 scheme and instead use the staggering £1.4 billion to maintain existing roads and expand local public transport, especially into the Lake District National Park where road traffic is already causing havoc.

"It’s an established myth that building new roads eases congestion.

"It is wiser economically and environmentally speaking to invest in public transport.”

The A66 near Scotch Corner (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) These comments from the campaign group come after the Department for Transport (DfT) said an “internal review” of ongoing, scheduled and confirmed transport projects would be held - casting doubts over the A66 scheme.

The Department for Transport said that the review of transport projects is still ongoing, while a legal challenge against the A66 project planning approval begins at the High Court on October 23.

The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project is opposed by a campaign group called Transport Action Network.

It has launched a legal challenge on environmental grounds to the planning consent granted last year by the Conservative Government.

Speaking previously, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “The financial inheritance this government has received is extremely challenging.

Vehicles on the A66 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) "The previous administration has left a £22 billion public spending gap this year alone – £2.9 billion of which is unfunded transport commitments. 

"Communities up and down the country have been given hope for new transport infrastructure, with no plans or funds to deliver them.  This government will not make that mistake.

"I am determined that we build the transport infrastructure to drive economic growth and opportunity in every part of the country and to deliver value for money for taxpayers." 

Despite the objections and the DfT review, supporters of the A66 scheme have called for a start to the project as a matter of urgency.

Richmond and Northallerton MP and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously said that any delay or abandonment of the A66 upgrade in North Yorkshire could cost lives and hold back the economy.

Richmond and Northallerton MP and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Image: RISHI SUNAK) In his letter to the Transport Secretary, Mr Sunak said that there can be no delays to the A66 project and that the current government should “stick to the schedule”.

“Twelve people died on the road in 2023 and the route has 50 per cent more casualties than the average for a road of this type,” he said. “The remaining single carriageway stretches – like the one near Ravensworth – are very dangerous and need to be dualled.

“The road’s high accident rate doesn’t just cost lives and cause many casualties, it costs businesses millions.

Cllr Yvonne Peacock (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL) “The congestion caused by accidents – 20 per cent of which lead to complete closures of more than five hours – means this key link between Yorkshire, the North East and North West and the UK major ports is often blocked with no realistic diversion alternatives.”

Councillors in North Yorkshire have also been vocal in making sure the A66 dualling goes ahead, with Yvonne Peacock, who covers the Upper Dales division, saying previously that she will be disappointed if the scheme doesn't go ahead. 

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She said: "We have been lobbying for years to get the upgrade on the A66. It is a dangerous road causing many accidents.

"Many councillors over many years have worked to achieve this latest work. I will be most disappointed if after all this time Labour does not go ahead with the plans.

"How many more accidents? An improvement plan is in place and now we need this to go ahead. Work is seriously needed at the Scotch Corner junction."