Four contractors have put pen to paper to deliver the £1.3 billion A66 dual carriageway scheme.
Balfour Beatty, Costain, Keltbray and Kier have signed up to work together on the project, which will see the remaining single carriageway sections of the road dualled and key junctions between M6 Junction 40 (Penrith) and the A1 at Scotch Corner improved.
In July, the Planning Inspectorate accepted a National Highways’ Development Consent Order application. This meant the organisation could move on to the pre-examination stage of the scheme.
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project is said to be one of the most critical road upgrades in the north of England. It will reconnect communities and link villages along the route while also improving connections for people living and working nearby.
In 2020, this project was designated a Project Speed pathfinder, which meant the construction time for the project would be halved and the opening of the road brought forward by five years, to 2029.
It is also one of more than 100 rail and road schemes being targeted for acceleration by the Government as part of the recent Growth Plan. National Highways and construction partners say they will continue to find opportunities to streamline delivery.
Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Balfour Beatty, Costain, Keltbray and Kier and we look forward to working with them on the biggest generational investment on the north’s road network.
“We have worked with all four contractors previously and know the quality of their work. The signing of the contracts is a huge step in the delivery of such a big scheme and it is an important milestone for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project.
“I’d also like to thank Amey Consulting and Arup who played an integral role in designing the plans that were submitted and accepted as part of our DCO application.”
Dualling the remaining 18-mile single carriageway sections of the A66 will improve safety, reduce congestion and improve strategic regional and national connectivity, particularly for hauliers.
By making the route more reliable, it will also improve access to hotspots such as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales and support the regional and local economy.
Phil Clifton, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s highways business, said: “Today marks an important milestone in the delivery of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project. This vital piece of infrastructure for the North will not only improve national connectivity, but will provide faster and more reliable journeys for road users across the UK.”
Should the proposals be approved as a result of the Planning Inspectorate’s process, and the Secretary of State’s consent given, work on the project is expected to start in 2024.
Richard French, Kier Highways regional director, said: “This is a significant occasion for all those involved with the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme. Kier Highways, along with the enterprise delivery partners and client, are committed to delivering sustainable infrastructure and this major investment will be vital for the economy. We look forward to utilising our combined expertise to deliver a project that harnesses innovation and minimises our impacts on the surrounding natural environment.
“We will aim to deliver this strategic highway improvement work to the highest standards with safety, environment and customers at the heart of everything we do.”
