A GOVERNMENT report has warned that dualling the A69 between Hexham and Carlisle would be an expensive burden on taxpayers.

But Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman insists it would be a price worth paying to improve safety, and reduce the number of tragic accidents which have blighted the road for decades.

The Department for Transport is examining ways of improving road links between the A1 in the east, and the M6 in the west of the country.

The DfT has published a report on the early findings of its Northern Trans-Pennine Strategic Study.

It states that a dual carriageway along the notorious stretch of the A69 between Hexham and Carlisle would cut journey times.

But it concludes that the project would cost more money than options which are being considered for roads elsewhere.

They include the dualling of the A66 from Temple Sowerby in Cumbria, to Brough, in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The report reads: “A69 dualling generates the largest journey time savings but will also be the most expensive option.

“Completion of A66 dualling will generate around half the journey time savings of the A69 dualling, but will be less costly.”

At 32 miles, the A69 dualling would be twice as long as the 15-mile stretch proposed for the A66.

A DfE spokesman stressed that “no decisions have been made whatsoever” at this stage.

Mr Opperman said: “Dualling the A69 remains my priority.

“And I will continue to make the case for this investment to the national Government.

“I welcome this report that makes it clear that the investment in the A69 will produce real reduction in journey times.

“But the added point that Haltwhistle’s county councillor Ian Hutchinson, and I, have been making is the reduction in accidents and greater safety that follows a dualling.

“I accept that dualling will cost a great deal of taxpayers’ money but we need to keep making the case for this and I have an upcoming meeting with the DfT, and the Transport for the North group, at which I will be making the case for this investment in the A69.”