Introduction

Introduction

The A66 Trunk Road provides a main trans-Pennine route linking the A1 at Scotch Corner with the M6 at Penrith. The existing route is a mixture of single and dual carriageway and the Government's strategy for the A66 is to upgrade the entire route to dual carriageway.

This section of the A66 under consideration lies between the eastern end of the dual carriageway at Brougham and the western end of the proposed Temple Sowerby bypass. It is one of six single carriageway sections that we are now consulting on. You are invited to comment on whether upgrading is appropriate and if so by what means. Information on the other five schemes is available from the Highways Agency (see Further Information).

Existing Situation

The existing single carriageway section of the A66 Trunk Road at this location is approximately 5km (3 miles) long, is variable in width and is sub-standard east of Highbarn. There is one major junction to the Center Parcs holiday village (formerly Oasis) and there are several properties with direct access onto the A66.

The route carries approximately 14,000 vehicles per day, 20% of which are heavy goods vehicles and there have been 10 personal injury accidents recorded between 1998 and 2002.

Scheme Proposals

Two route options have been identified for consultation as indicated on the map. The proposed standard for these routes is dual carriageway as detailed on the typical cross section shown below. A new junction will be provided at Center Parcs to provide access to the local road network.

Typical Cross Section

As the map shows, the two options proposed are similar except in the area of Highbarn.

For much of their length, the routes follow the line of the existing A66 and use the existing carriageway for westbound traffic. A new carriageway to be constructed to the north of the A66 is proposed for eastbound traffic. The alignment for the remaining length between Center Parcs junction and Swine Gill will differ as outlined below:

The Orange Option (1A): The alignment moves slightly off-line in a southerly direction to avoid the hamlet at Lane End and requires the demolition of buildings at Highbarn.

The Purple Option (1B): The route involves a more extensive off line dual carriageway construction in a southerly direction to avoid the buildings at Highbarn.

Proposals Map

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Introduction

Environmental effects

Environmental Effects

The Agency attaches great importance to environmental issues. All six proposed schemes will be designed as sensitively as possible. For example, planting of native trees and shrubs would be used to help integrate the road into the surrounding landscape. Steps will also be taken to safeguard water quality, ecology and cultural heritage.

A full Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out and the results are summarised on the table below:

Environmental Issue General effect of the proposal Comment
Air Quality Neutral Little difference.
Cultural Heritage Negative Further archaeological survey work will be carried out.
Disruption Due To Construction Negative Every effort will be made to minimise disruption during construction.
Ecology and Nature Conservation Negative During construction, the routes will cause disturbance of protected species, loss of habitat and pollution of watercourses. After completion, however, the proposed mitigation measures will lead to long-term benefits.
Landscape Effects: Character Negative Effects will largely be mitigated by landscaping and planting.
Landscape Effects: Visual Impact Negative Effects will largely be mitigated by landscaping and planting.
Land Use: Demolition Negative Orange option requires demolition of one property.
Land Use: Community Land Neutral Not affected.
Land Use: Development Land Neutral No adverse or beneficial impacts.
Land Use: Agricultural Land Negative The Orange option involves less severance of agricultural land.
Traffic Noise and Vibration Positive With mitigation, noise levels generated by traffic generally decrease for all proposals.
Pedestrians, Cyclists etc. Positive The Purple option relieves the existing community severance between Highbarn and Lane End.
Vehicle Travellers: Driver View Neutral Landscaping and planting will restrict views.
Vehicle Travellers: Driver Stress Positive Improved alignment and signing, fewer junctions improving safety.
Water Quality and Drainage Negative Further detailed surveys and further development of mitigation measures will be required to minimise impacts.
Geology and Soils Neutral The reuse of excavated material will be properly managed on site and implementation of adequate mitigation measures should reduce the risk of pollution of aquifer and source.
Policies and Plans Neutral Proposals generally in accordance with relevant policies and plans. The Purple option has no adverse impact on community severance policies at Highbarn.

Reasons for Rejecting the Red Option 1C

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What Happens Next

Your views, together with those of the Local Authorities and other bodies will be carefully considered by the Secretary of State for Transport. A decision will then be announced on whether the proposals are to be taken forward. If they are, then a route would then be protected for planning purposes and developed in greater detail.

By commenting now, you will not prejudice your right to comment for or against any future detailed proposals subsequently published under the Highways Act.

We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.

Further Information

There are five other sections of the A66 at Public Consultation:

Copies of all six public consultation leaflets are available on the Highways Agency website. If you have any questions on this or any of the above schemes please ask at the exhibition or write to:

Highways Agency
Major Projects Team M1
Room 710, Sunley Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester, M1 4BE.

For the attention of Marilyn Sinfield or telephone 08457 50 40 30


Environmental effects