A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route given the green light supporting thousands of new jobs and connecting millions across the North
Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, welcomes the Government announcement that the A66 will be upgraded, he said: "It's brilliant news for Penrith and everyone who uses the A66 to travel to Scotch Corner and the A1.
"I have campaigned hard for the A66 Northern Trans Pennine scheme to get the go ahead. It’s great news in terms of both safety and improving the economy in the north of England.
"This is a vital project that has quite rightly survived the spending review. I look forward to seeing the much needed junction improvements which will make a massive difference for residents and businesses in and around Penrith.
"The upgrade is not just about dualling the road - the improvements at Kemplay Bank roundabout will make traffic flow much better and ease the congestion around junction 40 of the M6.
"I look forward to seeing the much-needed junction improvements which will make a massive difference for residents and businesses in and around Penrith."
Millions of commuters and businesses across the North East and Cumbria are set to benefit from quicker journeys, as the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route, is given the green light, the Government has announced.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer’s money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier.
“With over £92 billion investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the North and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.
“We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.”
Completing dualling of the A66 will increase capacity, improving journey times and connectivity from the North East to the M6 and Penrith, Carlisle and the Lake District and improving access along the route for towns and villages such as Bowes and Barnard Castle..
A vital regional, national and international economic route, the upgrades will provide faster connections from the North East and Cumbria to Northern Ireland and to ports like Stranraer, and also provide a boost to tourism by improving connections for holiday makers to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project will create a continuous dual carriageway between the M6 at Penrith and A1(M) at Scotch Corner, significantly improving reliability and shaving up to 12 minutes off journeys.
Freight connections will be significantly improved, as 25% of the current traffic on the road is made up of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), more than twice the national average for a road of this kind.
The Government has also confirmed it will be funding the upgrade of the signalling system on the Tyne and Wear Metro. This investment will enhance journey times, improve reliability and safety, and enable future expansion of the network.
It's one of fifty road and rail upgrades across the country, as part of the £92 billion of transport investment in the Spending Review, supporting 42,000 jobs, enabling 1.5 million new homes, and improving connectivity for 50,000 people as part of its Plan for Change.