Ground investigation

As we live so close to the A66, and to a section that will be affected by the dualling project, we have watched quite closely the long drawn out planning and reviewing stages. Now at last we can see things happening on the ground, even if it is only some investigation work.

Workers in yellow jackets with machines have been appearing at certain points along the Scotch Corner/Penrith section of the A66. Tracks for vehicles were laid across fields and now equipment like this, that we saw near Penrith today, is arriving. Apparently this is ground investigation work to see what is below the surface - kind of soil, groundwater etc. This information will inform the planning.

Ten crews, 300 boreholes, 300 inspection pits. Good to see something happening at last, but work won’t start until next year. It will be a long time before it is finished.