A legal challenge has been launched over the controversial £1.5 billion scheme to dual the A66.
Transport Action North has lodged the challenge against the granting of a development consent order for the scheme, which would see 50 miles of the road from Penrith to Scotch Corner turned into a dual carriageway.
The organisation said it believed the Secretary of State’s decision was flawed.
Chris Todd, Transport Action Network’s founder and director, said: “The £1.5 billion A66 Northern Trans-Pennine represents very poor value for money and will cause great harm to important landscapes and wildlife.
“At a time when we are experiencing more flooding due to climate change, it will drive up carbon emissions by 2.7 million tonnes. By encouraging more HGVs it will also make the existing parts of the A66 that are already dualled more dangerous.
“We believe the Secretary of State has not considered these issues properly, gambling away £1.5bn of taxpayers’ money in the process.
“National Highways should instead be implementing cheaper and quicker safety measures on this road, for a fraction of the cost and without harming the environment or taking us backwards on climate.”
National Highways said: “We have been designing and developing the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project, and we will continue to carry out archaeological investigations and preparatory works including utilities diversions during 2024.
“At this stage it is too early to say how much of an impact the legal challenge will have on our programme and start of work.
“We are disappointed about the legal challenge as we believe our proposals will provide much needed improved safety and reliability for drivers and businesses that use this vitally important route every day, while also delivering a boost to the regional economy. “
