Dr Neil Hudson attended a public meeting in Warcop Village Hall last week to hear first-hand the major concerns of residents regarding the A66 Trans-Pennine Project section between Appleby and Brough. The proposed Highways England preferred route sees the A66 come closer to the villages of Warcop and Sandford and increases the number of lanes.
The public meeting saw approximately 70 residents come together to review the Highways England preferred route, looking in detail on locations of junctions and drainage ponds. Concerns were raised regarding increased noise, air and visual pollution for the villages as well as loss of high-quality farmland. There is also strong concern that the flood risk will be increased due to the run-off water for the design.
In the meeting, the Warcop Parish Council set out an alternative route to the north which would mitigate all the environmental concerns they have. The northern route proposal would take the new road north of the current A66 and away from the villages making use of low-grade agricultural land through natural valleys, thus reducing the noise, air, visual and flooding risks for the residents of Warcop.
After the meeting Neil said “The strength of opposition to the Highways England preferred route is very clear. I listened to the residents’ tangible and reasoned concerns, and also heard some excellent ideas and suggestions for alternative routes. While I completely support the dualling of the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner, it is vital that we protect communities such as Warcop and Sandford. To this end, I am taking the case to Highways England , the MOD, Natural England and Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, expressing my concerns regarding the preferred route and asking that the northern option is given full consideration and asking for a scoping exercise to be carried out.”
