A review of transport projects announced by the new government this week has sparked fears for the £1.5bn scheme to dual the A66 between Scotch Corner and Penrith.

Work had been expected to start this year on upgrading the notorious 50-mile stretch, which at present is a mix of dual and single carriageway, after the project was given approval in March by the then Transport Secretary.

But on Tuesday, the scheme, which aims to cut journey times and reduce fatalities, was called into question after the Department for Transport (DfT) said an "internal review" of ongoing, scheduled and confirmed transport projects will take place.

There are also concerns for projects to restore railway links in County Durham and Darlington, after the new Labour government scrapped the Restoring Your Railway Fund.  In a statement, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh cited a reported £22bn public spending gap outlined by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Monday, saying it included £2.9bn in "unfunded transport commitments".

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Ms Haigh's statement continued: "Communities up and down the country have been given hope for new transport infrastructure, with no plans or funds to deliver them.

"There has been a lack of openness with the public about the status of schemes – some of which were cancelled or paused by the previous government, without proper communication to the public.

"As the Chancellor informed Parliament, I am commissioning an internal review of DfT's capital spend portfolio. We will bring in external expertise and move quickly to make recommendations about current and future schemes."

While the DfT and Highways England said they could not provide specific details on the A66 scheme or its future, there is concern among North Yorkshire councillors.

Conservative councillor Yvonne Peacock, who covers the Upper Dales division, said: "We have been lobbying for years to get the upgrade on the A66. It is a dangerous road causing many accidents.

"Many councillors over many years have worked to achieve this latest work. I will be most disappointed if after all this time Labour does not go ahead with the plans "How many more accidents? An improvement plan is in place and now we need this to go ahead. Work is seriously needed at the Scotch Corner junction."

Conservative councillor Angus Thompson, who covers the North Richmondshire division, added: "It's a main route in North Yorkshire, and connects a lot of drivers. It must take place, given that there are so many fatalities on the stretch of road.

"Fatalities seem so common on the A66, and the improvement must take place."

In County Durham, bids to create a passenger rail service from Darlington to Weardale, reopen Ferryhill Station, and renew rail links between Consett and Newcastle, were all backed by the previous Conservative government.  Durham County Council said it hopes the projects will continue, while North East mayor Kim McGuinness said Ferryhill Station will be reopened when the North East Combined Authority reopens the Leamside Line, which runs from Pelaw in Gateshead to Tursdale in County Durham.

The Darlington-Weardale proposal focused on developing the Darlington-Dales corridor, improving the connectivity of towns and villages along the Weardale line, and reviewed the possibility of providing a link to Crook.