A £1 BILLION overhaul of the A66 has reached the half-way stage and motorists are being asked their views on the next stage.

The public are being urged to help shape the transformation of the A66 between the M6 at Penrith and A1 at Scotch Corner by getting involved in this summer’s options consultation.

Highways England is developing plans to fully dual the remaining six single carriageway sections, which total 18 miles of the complete 50 mile route.

Highways England senior project manager Matt Townsend said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response to the consultation so far and the public events suggest there is huge support for the investment with understandable very local opinions about individual options – which is precisely what we want to get from the process at this stage."

Options for dualling the road and delivering other improvements are on display at public consultation events at The Witham in Barnard Castle until June 15 and on June 21 and 22 at The Station in Richmond.

Although the start of construction is still several years away, the preferred options are due to be announced next spring.