THE prime minister refused to commit to the dualling of the A66 during prime minister’s questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons.

The previous government approved the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project which would see the 80-kilometre stretch between Penrith and Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire made into a full dual carriageway.

The project would also include improvements to multiple junctions and minor enhancements to the already existing sections of the dual carriageway on the A66.

Following the election, the new Labour Government put the whole project – which would cost hundreds of millions – under review, blaming the ‘dire’ state of the public finances left by the Tories.

The new government cancelled and put other major road and public transport infrastructure projects across the country in review following the election.

In the House of Commons on Wednesday lunchtime, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron, asked the prime minster to commit to the project to help ‘save lives’.

“In the last five years, there has been 10 fatal accidents on the short stretch of the A66 in the Eden Valley in Westmorland,” said Mr Farron to the prime minister.

“In our community we are naturally deeply concerned that the vital A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project – which would make the roads considerably safer – has been put under review by this government.

“Will the prime minister take the opportunity now and end this uncertainty today, commit to this project and save lives?”

READ MORE: Transport for the North in continued support for A66 dualling project

In his response, Sir Keir thanked Mr Farron for ‘raising the issue’ but did not commit to the future of the project and said that the government will give an update ‘as soon as we can’.

“We have inherited a broken economy,” Mr Starmer claimed.

“We have to review what we are spending money on and we are going through that review and will report back as soon as we can.”