THE case for dualling the A66 was graphically illustrated yesterday when five people were injured on what has become known as Britain's most dangerous road.

The incident came only 24 hours after the Government confirmed it was to invest more than £140m on the route and upgrade the trans-Pennine link to dual carriageway over the next 20 years.

A day later, a collision between a red Vauxhall Nova and a blue Ford Escort, at the crossroads between Melsonby and Gilling West, North Yorkshire, proved how urgent the situation is.

Alerted by passers-by, the Tees air ambulance was called to the scene, but none of the casualties was injured badly enough to warrant immediate transfer to hospital.

Paramedics treated an elderly man at the wheel of the Nova, while he was still seated in the car. He was then taken for checks at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

A man, woman and two young children in the Ford Escort also needed treatment for cuts, bruises and shock.

"They have all been very lucky," said PC Richard Wilson, who dealt with the accident. "It could easily have been a lot worse.

"Fortunately, today, we are not dealing with any deaths. We have a number of people with what appear to be minor injuries - and some very long queues as the road is busier than usual with bank holiday traffic."

Meanwhile, environmental campaigners have warned the Government that they intend to fight the upgrade.

Stephen Joseph, director of Transport 2000, said the programme would devastate areas of special scientific interest and an area of outstanding natural beauty.

He said: "As world leaders gather in Johannesburg for the Earth Summit, the Government is starting to trash more of Britain's environment.

"If the Government repeats this decision elsewhere, we could see a vast new road-building programme, with most motorways widened to eight, ten or even 12 lanes, and a lot of other new roads across Britain's countryside."