A66 decision on dual carriageway extended to March

The proposals would see Kirkby Thore in Cumbria bypassed by a dual carriageway

A decision over upgrading a major road running from Cumbria to Yorkshire via County Durham has been delayed until March, the government has confirmed.

The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project would dual 50 miles (80km) from Penrith to Scotch Corner.

Transport Minister Huw Merriman said it would be extended until 7 March.

One reason given for the extension was further consideration on the potential impact to the North Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper was due to rule on the £1.3bn scheme on Tuesday.

Mr Merriman said on Wednesday that the deadline for the decision would be extended by four months.

He added: "The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to give development consent."

Plans to dual a section of the A66 were first mooted in 2016

National Highways (NH) first made recommendations on widening the route in 2016 and carried out consultations in 2019 and 2021.

A further public consultation ended on 27 February and other interested parties had until 28 October to comment.

Inspectors appointed to look at the application issued a recommendation to the secretary of state on 7 August, giving him three months to make a decision.

More than 30 changes have been made to the planning application since it was first mooted and NH said in January that, if approved, construction would begin next year.

The scheme involves five bypasses being built and an underpass dug at the Kemplay Bank roundabout, near Penrith, to reduce congestion.