Representation by Anthony Rae
- Date submitted
- 2 September 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
In 2000-2001 I participated as a representative of Friends of the Earth on the reference group for the Highways Agency safety study A66 Penrith to Scotch Corner. Thereafter I made representations to the Yorkshire & Humberside regional assembly concerning development proposals emerging from that study. Subsequently I have also contributed to the processes organised by Transport for the North in their review of potential highway investments, including for this corridor, and to some extent in the current National Highways process leading up to the current project. I also co-ordinated the work by which environmental campaigners successfully proposed to Transport for the North that their strategic transport plan should include a commitment to reduce transport carbon emissions in line with the requirements of the Climate Change Act, resulting in their decarbonisation strategy published in 2021. My involvement in all these processes over two decades has allowed me to understand and recognise the significance of the proposed development even though I live outside the A66 corridor. (But please note I would be participating as an individual and not as a representative of FOE). My submissions will concern four principal issues: whether the need for the scheme has been adequately demonstrated; what will be the consequences for the volume of road traffic on the A66 corridor immediately but also beyond; the carbon emissions which will be generated as a result of the scheme; and the consequences of the scheme for the natural environment and landscape along the length of its corridor.