A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project 2025-05-22

Opened the debate

It is a pleasure and a privilege to have secured the last Adjournment debate before recess, especially on an issue that is of great importance to my constituents, Cumbria and the wider region. The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project is the north of England’s largest road project at a cost of £1.5 billion. It should come as no surprise that the new Government are reviewing the business case. I have spent months communicating with officials in National Highways, and along with my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Sam Rushworth), with Ministers in the Department for Transport and the Treasury. The project will upgrade approximately 50 miles of the A66 between the M6 at Penrith and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, converting single carriageway sections into dual carriageways and improving countless junctions along the route. There are significant benefits for local people, including pedestrians and cyclists, reducing traffic volumes by 55%, providing major improvements to safety, and enhancing economic connectivity between Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Tees Valley, Tyne and Wear, and beyond. I appeal to Ministers to support this project.

Government Response

I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and Solway on securing today’s debate on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project, and I thank him for his powerful arguments. We have already met to discuss the importance of the project to the region, and indeed its wider national significance. Although the Chamber is rather empty this evening, I am pleased to take the opportunity to thank other right hon. and hon. Members with constituencies along the route for their correspondence and for our meetings to discuss their aspirations for the A66. I can assure my hon. Friend and others that they have convinced Ministers of the overwhelming local support for this important project. Rebuilding Britain means modernising our transport infrastructure, maintaining and renewing our road network to ensure it serves all users, remains safe, and tackles congestion. The financial inheritance received by the Government is challenging, but we will not repeat past mistakes of giving hope with no plans or funds. On 30 July 2024, the Chancellor announced a multi-year spending review. I can assure my hon. Friend that the A66 project is being considered as part of this process and has not been shelved. The Minister acknowledged the hon. Member's concerns regarding the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project and stated that it is currently being considered alongside other road projects within the spending review framework. They noted that National Highways has invested £3 billion in capital enhancements for this year, which includes funding for the A66 project. The Minister emphasised the economic benefits of upgrading the route, including the potential to support housing developments and job creation along its length. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of making strategic road networks more resilient and improving traffic flow by dualling remaining single carriageway sections. While no firm decisions have been made as the spending review is still ongoing, the Minister assured that the Department recognises the project's significance for regional economic growth and transport infrastructure improvement.