UK government approves A66 Northern Trans-Pennine upgrade project

A Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the plans form a key part of the government’s proposed £24 billion road investment fund setting a new benchmark in UK highways projects.

Developed by National Highways, with support from global sustainable development consultancy Arup and infrastructure specialists Amey Consulting, the plans are anticipated to transform journeys in the North of England between Penrith and Scotch Corner. The A66 provides the most direct route between the eastern side of England and western Scotland. It is a critical route for freight, providing links to a number of international ports like Stranraer, Hull, Teesport and Felixstowe and connects holiday makers to the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.

Both a local and national route, planned improvements will shorten journey times and increase network resilience whilst reducing congestion and accidents through a renewed focus on safety for all road users and those nearby, including cyclists and pedestrians. The current A66 sees approximately 50% more casualties than the strategic road network average. Prioritising and promoting safe active travel, the creation of more than 18 miles of cycleway provision is a core project element.

The interventions proposed reflect National Highways and Arup’s ambitions to bring sustainability to the fore of road infrastructure initiatives, delivering outcomes related to decarbonisation, biodiversity restoration and social value. The project has taken a novel approach to environmental consenting and will deliver a 30% reduction of embodied carbon emissions in the specimen design. Greater than 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) will be achieved for grassland, hedgerows and woodland, going beyond UK legislation that came into effect in February 2024. This approach contributes to the recovery of nature while developing a site and enhances its biodiversity. Expected construction duration has been reduced from ten to five years.

Understood to be the largest single investment in the North of England’s road network in a generation, social value and community engagement will continue to be a pivotal part of the upgrade, with £6.4 million already invested in local communities. Plans include engagement with schools and universities as the project comes to fruition, offering education on the positive impact infrastructure can have on society and to encourage the next generation of engineers.