Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed A66 expansion on (a) (i) health, (ii) safety and (iii) the environment at Brough Hill and (b) the cultural role of Brough Hill Fair for gypsy and traveller communities.

National Highway’s application for a Development Consent Order for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project is currently subject to a determination by the Secretary of State. Following a 6-month examination of the application, a recommendation report was submitted to the Secretary of State by the Planning Inspectorate on 7 August 2023. The statutory deadline for a decision is 7 November 2023. I can reassure you that careful consideration will be given to the recommendation and all matters raised on this application before a final decision is made. The reasons for any decision will be set out in the decision letter. However, as this is a live application I am unable to comment further.

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