A66 scheme runs into consultation trouble

05/05/2022 | CHRIS AMES

Lawyers have criticised National Highways over an alleged lack of transparency in its consultation process for the huge A66 dualling scheme.

The national roads operator held ‘targeted non-statutory consultations’ that were not publicised or locatable on its consultation website.

The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project is upgrading single carriageway sections of road to dual carriageway and making improvements to the junctions along the route.

As a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), National Highways needs to apply for a development consent order for the scheme and has said it will submit its application this month.

Lawyers for Transport Action Network (TAN) described it as effectively the combination of at least eight different NSIP schemes along a fifty-mile stretch of the A66.

In a letter to National Highways, Richard Buxton Solicitors said TAN was ‘extremely concerned’ that the roads operator was rushing the scheme development because it is part of Project Speed, ‘resulting in inadequate and potentially unlawful consultations’.

Among other concerns, lawyers highlighted four consultations that they said could not be seen by the wider public, despite including ‘considerable changes’ to the design that was presented in the statutory consultation autumn, with no information provided regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed changes.

They said the consultations, which took place earlier this year, were not advertised publicly on the National Highways scheme page or social media, did not appear on the National Highways consultation hub, could not, and still cannot, be located by searching that page, nor were they accessible via a publicly locatable link.

TAN emphasized that statutory guidance sets out the importance of consulting the public on the preliminary environmental information report (PEIR) and the environmental impacts from changes after the statutory consultation need to be explained and included in an updated PEIR.

The lawyers warned that the consultation could render the scheme unlawful, adding: ‘It is in everyone's interests that these consultations are run properly, otherwise they may be legally defective.’

Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 project director, said it had carried out the ‘targeted supplementary consultations’ by contacting and engaging directly with people impacted by the more significant design changes since the end of the statutory consultation.

He added that the findings will be published in the consultation report, part of its DCO submission.

He said: ‘We held seven events in those areas, which were attended by 385 people. We also produced a winter update which includes all the recent design changes, alongside our consultation summary report, and both can be viewed online.

‘We continue to engage at a local, regional and national level. We regularly speak to stakeholders to understand their thoughts on the individual schemes and overall impact of the project as it evolves. Feedback from all parties is considered by our design teams and factored in where possible.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW