Highways Agency

• Introduction
• Environmental effects

A66 Penrith to Temple Sowerby

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.

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