THE Ramblers Association was accused yesterday of "playing the hokey cokey" at a public inquiry into the upgrading of the A66.

The organisation lodged an objection several weeks ago against part of the £11m scheme to dual two stretches of the road west of Scotch Corner, in North Yorkshire.

It withdrew the objection when the inquiry into the scheme started last week, but tried to submit another one when the hearing resumed yesterday at the Morritt Arms Hotel, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Paul Tucker, barrister for the Highways Agency, said: "The ramblers seem to be playing the hokey cokey. First they were in, then they were out and now they are in again."

He said he would have problems if the objection went ahead as he had not prepared evidence to respond to it.

Ian Martin, of Barnard Castle, a rambler who was to lodge the new objection, said he did not realise it would cause a problem.

The inspector, Robin Shercliff, said that while he did not want to gag the ramblers, last-minute objections could not be accepted.

Mr Martin agreed to withdraw it, but said he would support several local residents who have suggested changes to details of the scheme, which will affect seven miles of the road.

Police, councils and 30 residents wrote supporting the scheme.

Only one person objected totally, but more than 100 people opposed some of the details, including crossing and access points.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead by the Government, work could start in spring 2005.