Following the Highways and Transport Board Strategic Meeting held on Thursday 29 January, Cumberland Council has reiterated its strong support for much‑needed improvements at the Brigham/Broughton junction. The council remains disappointed by National Highways’ decision in April 2023 to cancel the planned scheme, given ongoing and increasing safety concerns at the site.
The council warns that these safety issues are likely to be further exacerbated by the progression of the A66 Trans‑Pennine project between Scotch Corner and Penrith. The scheme, once delivered, is expected to increase traffic volumes through the junction, reinforcing the need for timely intervention.
Despite the setback in 2023, Cumberland Council has continued to press the case for improvements to the A66 within Cumberland to both National Highways and the Department for Transport (DfT). National Highways has confirmed that the Brigham/Broughton junction improvement is not currently included in the Road Investment Strategy (RIS) programme, which runs until 2031.
In recognition of the importance of the scheme, the council has identified funding to advance the project to detailed design stage. Work is now underway with National Highways to secure all relevant technical information needed to support this next phase of development.
The region is preparing for significant governance changes, with Cumbria set to transition to a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) in spring 2026. The new authority will become the sole Local Transport Authority (LTA) for the area. Alongside these changes, the DfT is introducing a consolidated funding structure, including the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF), Bus Services Fund (BSF), and, once a mayor is in place, a Mayoral Transport Fund (MTF). This approach will offer greater flexibility across transport modes and will help support long-term investment priorities such as the A66.
Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“Cumberland Council has shown real determination in keeping this vital scheme moving forward, and I want to commend the team for the proactive steps they are taking.
“The Brigham/Broughton junction is a clear priority for local residents, and the council’s commitment to progressing the design work demonstrates a strong focus on safety, connectivity and long‑term investment.
“I will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure this improvement remains firmly on the agenda, for the benefit of communities and businesses across Cumberland.”
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“This is really proactive news and a huge thanks to the Executive Member Cllr Denise Rollo who has had the foresight to help this project take one step further towards fruition.”
Cumberland Council remains committed to working with partners and Government to secure the improvements needed to ensure safe and reliable travel for residents, businesses and visitors.