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 is located near Warcop and upgrades the route between the existing dual carriageways of Appleby Bypass and Brough Bypass. It is one of six single carriageway sections that we are now consulting on. You are now 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 single carriageway section of the A66 Trunk Road between Appleby and Brough is 8.25km (5 miles) long, is variable in width and is sinuous in places with poor horizontal and vertical alignment. Several properties including the MoD Firing Range have direct access on to the A66 and there are six junctions connecting to the local road network for access to Sandford, Warcop, Flitholme and Great Musgrave.

The route carries approximately 12000 vehicles per day, 25% of which are heavy goods vehicles and there have been 48 accidents recorded between 1998 and 2002.

Scheme Proposals

The proposed route has resulted from a study of several options and is the subject of this consultation exercise. This route is shown in red as Route 3D on the proposals map opposite and a typical cross section is shown below.

Typical Cross Section

Between Appleby Bypass and Wildboar Hill, the route would utilise as much of the existing A66 as possible for eastbound traffic. A new carriageway would be constructed adjacent and to the south of the existing carriageway for westbound traffic.

From Wildboar Hill the route leaves the line of the existing A66 crossing the MoD sports field and remaining close to but to the south of the A66 before rejoining the dual carriageway at Brough Bypass.

Access to the proposed route from the local road network is to be limited to junctions at Sandford and Warcop.

The existing A66 between Moor House and Turks Head will become part of the county road network for local access.

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 following table.

Environmental Issue General effect of the proposal Comment
Air Quality Neutral The effects on air quality can be considered negligible.
Cultural Heritage Negative Potential impact on known prehistoric and Roman archaeology to the north west of Warcop would be minimised and further archaeological assessment carried out.
Disruption due to Construction Negative Mitigation to reduce impacts would include traffic management measures, protection of sensitive sites and advance drainage pollution control measures.
Ecology and Nature Conservation Negative Mitigation measures would include water pollution control, translocation of species rich grassland to alternative verges, hedgerow and broadleaf woodland planting, habitat creation.
Landscape Effects: Character Negative Effects would be reduced by softening new landforms and woodland/hedgerow planting.
Landscape Effects: Visual Impact Neutral The visual impact from the widened route corridor would be mitigated through the use of mounding, false cuttings, planting and fencing.
Land Use: Demolition Negative Alternative locations would be sought for the telecommunications tower at the Sandford junction and any farm buildings affected by the route.
Land Use: Community Land Negative Alternative locations would be sought for the MoD sports field.
Land Use: Development Land Neutral N/A
Land Use: Agricultural Land Negative Impacts would include loss of agricultural land and severance of farm units. Mitigation measures would include drainage restoration, boundary provision, reinstatement of water supply and provision of crossings.
Traffic Noise and Vibration Positive Traffic noise would be reduced by providing mounding and acoustic screen fencing at sensitive locations.
Pedestrians, Cyclists etc. Positive Creation of alternative routes, for example along detrunked lengths of the old A66.
Vehicle Travellers: Driver View Negative Landscaping and planting will restrict views.
Vehicle Travellers: Driver Stress Positive The proposed scheme would provide a much-improved standard of road, benefi ting vehicle travellers and reducing driver stress.
Water Quality and Drainage Negative Mitigation measures would be developed to provide drainage and pollution control measures.
Geology and Soils Negative N/A
Policies and Plans Neutral Adverse impacts relate to environmental, sustainability and transport policies. Most beneficial impacts are in relation to road safety, road design, woodland planting, environmental design and vulnerable traveller policies.

Reasons for Rejecting Route Option 3B

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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