Any delay or abandonment of the A66 upgrade in North Yorkshire could cost lives and hold back the economy, Rishi Sunak has warned.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP and former Prime Minister has written to the Transport Secretary to press the case for the £1.4bn project after a major review of infrastructure schemes was announced by the new government.
Work had been expected to start in early 2025 on upgrading the notorious 50-mile stretch between Scotch Corner and Penrith to full dual carriageway after the project was approved in March by the then Transport Secretary.
But the whole scheme was called into question when Labour came to power after the Department for Transport (DfT) said an “internal review” of ongoing, scheduled and confirmed transport projects would be held.
In his letter to the Transport Secretary, Mr Sunak said that there can be no delays to the A66 project and that the current government should “stick to the schedule”.
“Twelve people died on the road in 2023 and the route has 50 per cent more casualties than the average for a road of this type,” he said. “The remaining single carriageway stretches – like the one near Ravensworth – are very dangerous and need to be dualled.
“The road’s high accident rate doesn’t just cost lives and cause many casualties, it costs businesses millions.
“The congestion caused by accidents – 20 per cent of which lead to complete closures of more than five hours – means this key link between Yorkshire, the North East and North West and the UK major ports is often blocked with no realistic diversion alternatives.”
Mr Sunak said he has met members of the former A66 Action Group, which he worked with previously to secure safety improvements and changed speed limits.
“It was clear to me that the need for the upgrade is growing,” he added. “The Ravensworth junction on the single carriageway is still very tricky to negotiate even with the improvements we campaigned for. Many constituents avoid it if they can.”
The Department for Transport said that the review into transport projects is still ongoing. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “The financial inheritance this government has received is extremely challenging.
"The previous administration has left a £22 billion public spending gap this year alone – £2.9 billion of which is unfunded transport commitments.
"Communities up and down the country have been given hope for new transport infrastructure, with no plans or funds to deliver them. This government will not make that mistake.
"I am determined that we build the transport infrastructure to drive economic growth and opportunity in every part of the country and to deliver value for money for taxpayers."
Ken Bell, former chair of the A66 action group, said: “Villagers were grateful that Mr Sunak came to meet us and has taken up this matter again. The upgrade of the road is so important on road safety grounds alone, not just for us in Ravensworth, but for the whole of the North of England.”
Councillors in North Yorkshire have also been vocal in making sure the A66 dualling goes ahead, with Yvonne Peacock, who covers the Upper Dales division, saying previously that she will be disappointed if the scheme doesn't go ahead.
She 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 a the Scotch Corner junction."
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project is opposed by a campaign group called Transport Action Network.
It has launched a legal challenge on environmental grounds to the planning consent granted last year by the Conservative Government.
The legal challenge will be heard in the High Court next month.
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