A66 decision delay disappointing, Transport for the North says

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

A four-month delay to a decision on upgrading a major road running from Cumbria to Yorkshire is "disappointing", a transport body has said.

An announcement on dualling 50 miles (80km) of the A66 from Penrith to Scotch Corner had been due this week.

However, on Wednesday the government said it would now be March before it reached a conclusion.

Transport for the North (TfN) described it as a "key route".

The proposed £1.3bn scheme involves five bypasses being built and an underpass dug at the Kemplay Bank roundabout, near Penrith, to reduce congestion.

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

'Hugely important'

Regional transport body TfN said the delay was "disappointing" for residents and businesses in the area.

"But the important thing is to get the right answer," it added, "which we strongly believe is upgrading this key route to improve connections and experience for the people that use it.

"Removing the bottlenecks along this key East-West corridor will make the road safer and more reliable for travellers and help freight get across the Pennines by linking ports on both coasts.

"It's not only a hugely important route between the Lake District, North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley - and the dozens of communities in between - it also helps connect Scotland to our towns and cities.

"We look forward to what we hope will be the go-ahead for this very important piece of national infrastructure."

National Highways, which manages England's motorways and major roads, first made recommendations on widening the route in 2016, with consultations held in 2019 and 2021.

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

Announcing the delay, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said: "The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to give development consent."