Go-ahead for £1bn trans-Pennine roads revamp

Key Northern route the A66, which links Cumbria and North Yorkshire, is set to receive a billion-pound rehaul.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling was at Gilling West near Richmond, North Yorkshire yesterday to announce the plans and launch the public consultation into options for completing the project. The eight-week consultation runs until 11 July.

Highways England is looking to fully dual the remaining single carriageway sections of the A66, which total 18 miles of the 50 mile route.

Transport for the North’s major roads director, Peter Molyneux, said: “We welcome the launch of this consultation on options for dualling the remaining sections of the single carriageway of the A66, linking the M6 and the A1(M).

“This will improve east/west connectivity on this vitally important route, which will enable economic growth and improved opportunities across the north.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “Dualling the A66 will not only mean drivers’ journeys are quicker, safer and more reliable across the Pennines, but is part of our pledge to ensure that the business opportunities of the Northern Powerhouse spread out from the great cities of the North of England to every city, town and rural community from the Midlands to the Scottish Lowlands.”