A66 over Stainmore
A66 over Stainmore
The A66 crosses the Pennines over Stainmore between Bowes in County Durham and Brough in Cumbria, on high, exposed moorland. Here is what National Highways reports there now, the snow and wind warnings, and why the road closes.
2 restrictions or incidents at the A66 over Stainmore now, no full closure
Covers the A66 between Bowes and Brough. Checked at 16:21, from official sources.
Now 2
- A66Lane closureeastbound
A66 between A6 and B6542 near Appleby-in-Westmorland (north), eastbound
Until 31 Mar 2029, 06:00
A66 eastbound Kemplay to Brougham lane 2 closure
National Highways · updated 21 min ago
- A66Lane closureeastbound
A66 between B6542 near Appleby-in-Westmorland (south) and A685, eastbound
Until Thu 29 Oct, 05:00
A66 Eastbound Augill Jct to Brough Jct lane 1 closure switching to lane 2 closure and layby closure
National Highways · updated 21 min ago
Planned closures 1
Why it closes
The road climbs to about 440 metres (1,450 feet) on open moorland, where snow drifts and high winds close it several times most winters. Snow gates with turning points between Bowes and Brough are shut when it is impassable; in Storm Chandra in January 2026 they were closed as a precaution and reopened the same afternoon.
The dualling
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project will make the whole road dual carriageway between the M6 at Penrith (junction 40) and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, by upgrading six single-carriageway sections, about 30 km in all. It received development consent in 2024 and was confirmed in the third Road Investment Strategy in March 2026. Advance works, with overnight closures and average speed cameras, began in 2026.
Questions
- Is the A66 over Stainmore open today?
- There is no full closure reported right now, but 2 restrictions or incidents are listed above.
- Why does the A66 close at Stainmore?
- Snow and high winds on the exposed summit, about 440 metres up. National Highways shuts the snow gates between Bowes and Brough when the road is impassable.
- Is the A66 being dualled?
- Yes. The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project will make the road dual carriageway between the M6 at Penrith and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner. It was granted development consent in 2024; advance works began in 2026.
See also
Sources
- A66 Northern Trans-Pennine· National Highways
- A66 Northern Trans-Pennine: development consent· Planning Inspectorate
- Storm Chandra A66 update· Yorkshire Post
Facts checked on .