Plans to make all of the A66 a dual carriageway have been announced by the Transport Secretary.

The road stretches all the way from Teesport to Cumbria, and is one the major east/west routes through Teesside.

But only 32 miles of the 50 mile stretch of road from Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire through to the west coast is currently a dual carriageway - which can lead to big delays for motorists, especially at peak times.

It's a route driven by many Teessiders for business, and for tourists looking to escape for a break in the Lake District.

Now, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced £1bn plans to fully dual the remaining 18 miles - and wants the public to get involved in shaping his department's plans.

Chris Grayling with Highways England senior project manager Matt Townsend

The Government say upgrading the route will provide "enormous benefits to people living locally" and will also change the way people travel round the UK, improving connections from Scotland to the east coast of England and Belfast's port traffic, via Stranrear, onwards to ports including Hull and Felixstowe. 

Mr Grayling was at Gilling West near Richmond in North Yorkshire on Thursday to formally launch Highways England's eight-week public consultation into the plans.

He 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."

Highways England chief executive Jim O'Sullivan said: "The A66 connects businesses, communities and families across the north of England, and this highly anticipated upgrade is great news for the local, and regional economies and will improve the national road network."

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced plans to fully dual the A66 alongside a host of other improvements

Proposals for the works include: 

  • Allowing through traffic from the M6 or the north east to bypass congested Kemplay Bank Roundabout
  • Dualling the existing three mile section between Penrith and Temple Sowerby including a new junction arrangement for Center Parcs at the western end and an optional short bypass to avoid High Barn at the eastern end
  • A new bypass north or south of Kirkby Thore and north of Crackenthorpe - following the route of the old railway line or the old Roman road.
  • Providing an upgrade of the five mile single carriageway between Appleby and Brough - freeing up the existing A66 for local access-only traffic as well as walkers, cyclists and horse riders
  • Re-designing and improving the junction with the A67 at Bowes to allow full westbound and eastbound access and exit to and from a newly-dualled 1.9 mile section of the single carriageway
  • Dualling the existing road between Cross Lane and Rookley with options for a short bypass of St Mary’s Church and Old Rectory at the eastern end of the 1.8 mile section
  • Similarly, dualling the existing four mile section between Stephen Bank and Carkin Moor but with three different options, including short bypasses - for the eastern end

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