Tim Farron meets with Roads Minister to make case for A66 upgrade

Local MP Tim Farron, and Rishi Sunak the MP for neighbouring Richmond & Northallerton, met with the Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood this week to make the case for the planned A66 upgrade to go ahead.

The proposals, which would dual the rest of the stretch of road between Penrith and Scotch Corner, were put on hold by the Labour Government earlier this year.

The minister said that no final decision would be made until the Government’s Spending Review in the Spring.

Speaking after the meeting, Tim said: “I’m very grateful to the Minister for meeting with us and hearing the case for why this vital upgrade to the A66 must go ahead.

“She was very sympathetic to our arguments but she was also very clear that she wouldn’t be able to make a commitment on this until the Spending Review.

“This is a shovel ready project which will boost our tourism economy, reduce congestion in our rural communities, and most importantly, save lives.

“I will be keeping up as much pressure as possible between now and the Spending Review so that this project goes ahead.”