A SEVEN-day public inquiry into the multi-million pound upgrading of one of England's most dangerous roads ended yesterday.

The decision over the proposed development of much of the notorious A66 across the Pennines to dual carriageway will be made by Government ministers.

Inspector Robin Sherclif, who led the inquiry, held at the Morritt Arms Hotel, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, will present his recommendations to two secretaries of state.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Transport Minister Alistair Darling will then decide whether to approve plans to make two stretches of single carriageway west of Scotch Corner, in North Yorkshire, into dual carriageways.

At the inquiry, Mr Shercliff heard evidence from the Highways Agency about the need for a scheme to improve safety on the road.

Agency barrister Paul Tucker said the two stretches of road, between Greta Bridge and Stephen Bank and Carkin Moor and Scotch Corner, had an appalling record of serious accidents in which people had died or been seriously injured.

In his closing statement, Mr Tucker said: "On average, the effect of these proposals would be to avoid two serious or fatal casualties per scheme per year. There will be 55 fewer junctions and farm accesses."

He said delaying the scheme was likely to cost lives and that the extra £3.75m of public money that would be spent creating underpasses would be better spent on other road projects to prevent casualties elsewhere.

Despite widespread support for the scheme there were objections to some of the details, including the compulsory purchase of land.

If the scheme goes ahead, as soon as spring 2005, it will mark the culmination of The Northern Echo's Fix the A66 campaign, which calls for measures to cut deaths on the route.