LOOKING back to the week that was May 13 to 19, five years ago...

A DETAILED consultation to decide how to make the A66 from Scotch Corner to Cumbria a complete dual carriageway was launched by Transport Minister Chris Grayling in North Yorkshire on May 16, five years ago.

Options for the £1 billion transformation of the key northern route, improving connections between the east and west of England, were opened up to the public with 15 different alternatives split across eight areas of the road.

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The options for the transformation of the key northern route, improving connections between the east and west of England, were unveiled by Highways England and Mr Grayling.

Calls for upgrading the road have been ongoing for about 20 years, especially at accident black spots such as the junction to Ravensworth, and Mr Grayling said he agreed the work was long overdue.

Senior project manger for Highways England, Matt Townsend, said: “We have put forward options for consultation on the different ways we can create dual carriageway in the remaining single carriageway sections.

“In the section at Stephen Bank to Carkin Moor, near Fox Hall Inn, Mainsgill Farm and the junctions to Ravensworth, there are three possible options to consider.

“Currently, traffic is 25 per cent HGV which is double the national standard.”

Highways England’s plan to fully dual the remaining single carriageway sections of the A66 covered a total 18 miles of the 50 mile route.

It was the first opportunity for members of the public to get involved.

Mr Grayling said: “We are investing a record £13 billion to improve journeys across the North of England. Dualling the A66 will not only mean drivers’ journeys are quicker, safer and more reliable across the Pennines. This is long overdue and I consider it to be a priority."

Celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Saltburn Pier drew thousands of people to the seaside town, in May 2019.

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The special occasion was marked with up to 150 volunteers in Victorian dress mingling with the crowds to bring a nostalgic feel to the event, and the grand finale of the day-long celebration culminated in a stunning firework display.

While young and old enjoyed a variety of fun and games, including a farmers’ market, screen printing workshop, antiques market, roving musicians playing sea shanties, a vintage motorcycle display, Punch and Judy, balloon modelling and the Marske brass band.

The party ended at 9.45pm with a firework display and the unveiling of new lighting for the pier using low-energy, colour-changing lightbulbs on the underside of the historic walkway.

A great-grandmother prepared to celebrate her 87th birthday with a fundraising challenge that was not for the faint-hearted.

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Kitty Grove-Stephensen, from Middlesbrough, Planned to take part in a sponsored flight in a microlight aircraft with East Durham Microlights to raise money for MS Research.

It was by no means Kitty’s first extreme challenge, as she previously abseiled off the Transporter Bridge and travelled on a zip wire at speeds of more than 100mph.

Despite turning 87 on May 15, 2019, she had no plans to slow down – and was even planning another abseiling challenge for when she reached 90.