Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Introduction
Introduction
The A66 Trunk Road provides a main trans-Pennine route linking the M6 at Penrith with the A1 at Scotch Corner. The existing route is a mixture of dual and single carriageway and the Government strategy for the A66 is to upgrade the entire route to dual carriageway between Penrith and Scotch Corner.
This section of the A66 which bypasses Bowes to the north, is situated around the junction of the A67 to Barnard Castle, 25km west of the A1. It is one of the six single carriageway sections that we are now consulting on. You are now being invited to comment on whether you feel upgrading is appropriate and if so by what means. Information on the other five schemes is available from the Highway Agencys (see Further Information).
Proposals Map
Exisiting Situation
The existing A66 Bowes bypass is a 3km section of single carriageway roadbetween sections of dual carriageway to the east and the west. There isa major two level junction with the A67 but this does not cater for all trafficmovements.
The A66 in this location has a daily traffic flow in the region of 14,500vehicles, with 28% heavy goods vehicles.
There have been 11 personal injury accidents on this section of the A66 inthe last five years.
Scheme Proposals
The proposed route that is the subject of this consultation has resulted froma feasibility study and is shown in red on the map above. The proposedstandard for the route is dual carriageway as detailed on the typical crosssections shown below.
The proposed improvement is approximately 3km in length from a pointwest of Clint Lane Bridge at the west side of Bowes to the start of theexisting dual carriageway 2km east of Bowes.
Due to the constraints of Bowes village to the south of the A66, wideningthe existing carriageway to the north is the only viable option for the sectionbetween Clint Lane Bridge and the A67. To the east of the A67 junction,widening on both sides of the existing carriageway has been considered.
To the east of the A67 junction, the proposal is for westbound traffic to usethe existing carriageway and a new carriageway will be constructed to thenorth of the A66 for eastbound traffic.
A new slip road is proposed at the A67 junction for eastbound traffic joiningonto the A66. At the eastern end of the scheme the A66 will be widenedto both the north and south to tie into the existing dual carriageway.Modifications to the junction layout at Stone Bridge are also required.
Typical Cross Section
Environmental effects
Environmental Effects
The Highways Agency attaches great importance to environmental issues.All six proposed schemes will be designed with sensitive issues in mind,and mitigation included where possible. For example, earth moundingor fencing will be used in conjunction with screen planting. Planting ofnative trees and shrubs will also be used to help integrate the road into thesurrounding landscape. Steps will be taken to safeguard water quality, ecology and culturalheritage.
An Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out and the resultsare summarised on the table below.
| Environmental Issue | General Effect of the Proposal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Local Air Quality |  Neutral | Small number of properties subject to greater concentrations ofvehicle air pollutants, however it is still within the limits of theNational Air Quality Standards. |
| Cultural Heritage |  Negative | Impact on rigg & furrow, relict field systems, derelict railwaystation, Stone Bridge (Grade II) & potentially unknown sites.Further survey to be carried out. |
| Disruption due to Construction | Negative | Every effort will be made to minimise disruption during construction. |
| Ecology & Nature Conservation | Negative | The route will cause minimal disturbance to terrestrial habitats. No designated nature conservation sites will be affected. |
| Landscape Effects: Character | Neutral | No significant change in landscape character. |
| Landscape Effects: Visual Impact | Negative | Existing vegetation is retained where possible & sensitivelandscape planting will mitigate any visual intrusion. |
| Land Use: Demolition | Neutral | Unused stone farm building demolished. |
| Land Use: Community Land | Neutral | Not affected. |
| Land Use: Development Land | Neutral | Not affected. |
| Land Use: Agricultural Land | Neutral | Slight loss of poor quality (Grade 4) agricultural land.No new severance. |
| Traffic Noise & Vibration | Neutral | Minimal changes in noise & vibration nuisance for propertiesadjacent to the road. |
| Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians & Community | Neutral | No impact for the community & majority of pedestrians,equestrians & cyclists. |
| Vehicle Travellers: Driver View | Neutral | Traveller views will not significantly alter from the currentsituation. |
| Vehicle Travellers:Driver Stress |  Positive | The route will reduce driver stress due to safer overtaking andimproved junctions. |
| Water Quality & Drainage | Positive | Appropriate mitigation will significantly benefit long-term waterquality, improve localised flood control & reduce the risk ofserious pollution incidents. |
| Geology & Soils | Negative | Poor quality soil lost, slope faces disturbed & potential forcontaminated soil and groundwater to be encountered duringconstruction. |
| Policies & Plans | Neutral | Proposals generally in accordance with relevant policies & plans. |
What Happens Next
Your views, together with those of the local authorities and other bodies willbe carefully considered by the Secretary of State for Transport.A decision will then be announced on whether the proposals are to betaken forward. If they are, then a route would then be protected forplanning purposes and developed in greater detail.
By commenting now, you will not prejudice your right to comment for oragainst any future detailed proposals subsequently published under theHighways Act. We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.
Further Information
There are five other sections of the A66 at Public Consultation:
- Penrith to Temple Sowerby
- Temple Sowerby to Appleby
- Appleby to Brough
- Cross Lanes to Greta Bridge
- Stephen Bank to Carkin Moor
Copies of all six public consultation leaflets are available on the HighwaysAgency web site. If you have any questions on this or any of the aboveschemes 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
For further information on the Highways Agency call our information line:
08457 50 40 30