In recent months, Penrith has been grappling with mounting traffic congestion, particularly along the A66 and M6. This issue has prompted many locals to point fingers at the traffic lights on Kemplay Roundabout as the cause of the growing congestion issues, sparking an online petition for their removal. While the gridlock has frustrated locals, National Highways remains committed to traffic lights as part of its plans for the A66 upgrade.

The proposed A66 upgrade, set to get underway in 2024 if approved, is a substantial redevelopment project that will transform Kemplay Roundabout with a new underpass, carrying the A66 under the A6. Additionally, it will involve upgrading traffic signals at M6 junction 40 and Kemplay Bank to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. The A66's speed limit will be reduced to 50mph between Kemplay Roundabout and M6 junction 40 to ensure a safer driving experience for all road users.

Key aspects of the A66 upgrade project around Penrith include:

Widening the roads approaching M6 junction 40 to provide additional lanes and a dedicated left turn, controlled by traffic signals.

Expanding the existing dual carriageway between M6 junction 40 and Kemplay Bank to three lanes in each direction.

Constructing a new dual-carriageway underpass below the existing Kemplay Bank roundabout to facilitate free-flowing traffic along the A66.

Creating new slip roads to the A6 and A686 at Kemplay Bank roundabout for safer entry and exit to and from the A66 in both directions.

National Highways predicts that building the underpass will significantly reduce traffic congestion, making it easier for people to access Penrith, especially during peak times. The project will also introduce a new junction East of Penrith to connect the A66 with Center Parcs, enhancing access to the holiday park and local roads. This new junction aims to prevent tailbacks at peak times by providing a safe underpass for vehicles to join and exit the eastbound side of the A66.

Westmorland and Furness Councils Director of Thriving Places Angela Jones has said: “The Council sees this project as a vital investment in infrastructure for the North of England, and which will bring considerable benefits to the area – facilitating growth and improving connectivity. The A66 NTP will improve connectivity through increased resilience, reliability and capacity on the national road network between Cumbria, Scotland and North-West England and the North-East, East Midlands and North Sea ports.”

“The economic and labour market challenges faced by Westmorland and Furness, such as a decline in working age population, mean that the ability to move people and goods over larger distances is increasingly important if the area is to prosper and make progress in levelling up.”

“The A66 NTP will contribute to addressing these challenges by facilitating the movement of people and goods more reliably and quickly”.

“The Council is strongly supportive of the project and hopes to see it consented this year, with a start on construction early in 2024.”

Despite the promise of improved traffic flow and access, concerns have arisen over the project's costs and its perceived value for money. Opponents of the scheme have lodged numerous objections, casting doubts on the future of the A66 upgrade. If the Secretary of State rejects the project, Penrith may face years of continued traffic delays and gridlock, with no clear alternative to address the growing volumes of traffic circulating in and around the town. Leading to calls for the lights to be removed and fresh calls for a new bypass linking J41 and the A66 proposed in 2018 as part of the now abandoned Penrith Masterplan.

Friends of the Lake District who say they are the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes have said they objects to the project.

The group called Campaign for National Parks said “We object” “The construction of bridges, embankments and other infrastructure would damage the landscape and setting of the North Pennines AONB. Creating extra capacity on the A66 to the east of the M6 would also lead to increased pressure to dual or widen non-dualled sections of the route to the west of the M6, within the Lake District National Park. The proposal is, therefore, incompatible with the long-established presumption against significant road widening or the building of new roads in National Parks and AONBs unless it can be shown there are compelling reasons for the new or enhanced capacity and with any benefits outweighing the costs very significantly.”

In August 2022 a formal objection was also lodged with the Secretary of State by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited ”on the grounds that operational railway land is adversely affected.”

Sport England has also said it “Objects to the land take, temporary and permanent from playing field sites including: Ullswater Community College, Penrith. Loss of part of playing field to facilitate a slip road to the new Kemplay Bank Roundabout”.

In contrast Center Parcs as a business operating locally has said it “fully support this project as it will benefit our staff of 1450 from a travel perspective, our guests of approximately 10,000 per week and it will most definitely save lives. As a business the dualing of the A66 will also prevent a significant number of serious traffic jams for all users, which in turn reduces accidents. From a Cumbria perspective this project can only improve connectivity for all business and visitors”.

The fate of the A66 upgrade project now hangs in the balance as National Highways awaits the Secretary of State's final decision, that will be announced by Tuesday, November 7th.

What do you think will the A66 Upgrade go ahead or is it time for a Plan B to look at other options to address traffic issues around Penrith?

We would like to give full credit and thanks to Alan Lowe for allowing us to use his amazing aerial photos of the A66.