The campaign to dual the A66 has been a long one. Plans were previously approved by the last Conservative government and then paused when Labour won the 2024 election.
The scheme was then re-confirmed in July 2025 and preparatory work has started on the route.
Farron, a former Liberal Democrat leader, said he was pleased the scheme was now progressing but angry the delay was “leaked out in the small print”.
He said: “This is about saving lives, it’s about protecting communities.
“It’s also about making sure that we boost our economy and, given those are the really laudable motives for doing this, to make it take nearly a decade to deliver it is something that we are rightly angry about.”
National Highways said the first section between Penrith and Temple Sowerby was expected to be completed by 2031.
A spokesperson claimed the project would “improve journeys, make the road safer and boost economic growth”.
“We’re building in stages, which keeps the project affordable while reducing disruption and minimising environmental impacts.”
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