VIEWS are being sought on billion pound plans to dual the A66 trans-Pennine route.
Highways England has organised a series of public consultation events into the proposals.
This follows the start of talks in February with farmers who will be affected by the proposed upgrade.
Highways England is working up plans to fully dual the remaining six single carriageway sections, which total 18 miles of the complete 50 mile route, in addition to junction improvements to the M6, junction 40 at Penrith and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner.
The agency says this will improve journey times, safety and connectivity for villages and towns along the A66.
While discussions have been ongoing with county councils, local councils, businesses, haulage firms, emergency services and other groups, this will be the first chance for the public to get involved.
Matt Townsend, Highways England senior project manager, said: “Although the start of construction is still a number of years away, this consultation is a significant milestone. We’ll be presenting different options for dualling the six remaining single lane sections of the A66 and our improvement plans for Kemplay Bank roundabout to get the public’s views on what might be preferable.
“We want residents, trans-Pennine commuters, pedestrians, cyclists, businesses, land owners – anyone with an opinion or local knowledge – to get involved.”
Details of the options for each of the six single carriageway sections along the route will be unveiled ahead of the consultation. A number of public information exhibitions will then take place.
Highways England will present route options for Penrith to Temple Sowerby; Temple Sowerby to Appleby; Appleby to Brough; Bowes; Cross Lanes to Rokeby and Stephen Bank to Carkin Moor.
A public information exhibition will take place at Gilling West Village Hall on Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, 11am to 7pm on both days.
The exhibition will take place at The Witham, Barnard Castle, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 12, 13 and 14, 11am to 7pm daily, and Saturday, June 15, 10am to 2pm.
It will also be staged at The Station, Station Yard, Richmond, on Friday, June 21, 11am to 7pm, and Saturday, June 22, noon to 4pm.
More information about the project – including a sign-up link for regular email updates – is available at: www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A66TransPennine
