Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson said he supported the residents who are opposing plans for an upgrade of the A66 between Appleby and Brough.
People living in Warcop and Sandford are concerned about the preferred route for the new Trans-Pennine project, which would see the road come closer to their villages and include more lanes.
Dr Hudson attended a public meeting in Warcop Village Hall to hear people’s concerns.
Around 70 villagers came 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 was 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, it said, 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, Dr Hudson 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 Ministry of Defence, 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.”
