Case for dualling A1 is ‘not proved’

A ROW has broken out over claims that the case for fully dualling the A1 through Northumberland is not yet proved.

Regional political and business leaders say there is a compelling case to upgrade the route to boost safety and the economy, but ministers have failed to act.

Now Fiona Gough, new deputy director for environment at the Government Office North East, has said the case for improving the A1 is not yet proved.

“We obviously welcome the connection between Dishforth and Barton on the A1 because that facilitates the connection south of our region.

“On going north, I understand there have been studies looking at the current level of volume use and current road safety levels.

“Neither of those would appear to support meeting the criteria for addressing that part of the road network.

“I guess the other aspect of the road network is the potential that route has for increasing the economic flow of goods and people between the central belt of Scotland and the North East. That case is also not yet proven.”

But the comments have caused anger among campaigners who say dualling the road is essential to the region.

Ronnie Campbell, Labour MP for Blyth Valley, said: “I don’t know what the hell they want. All we want is a motorway to Scotland.

“They have got a motorway to us, but we have to wait until we get to Newcastle to get a motorway.

“It is again Northumberland, the forgotten area. They have made a mess of the reorganisation of local government and they are going to make a mess of transport.

“We are just fed up with all governments, that is the Tories as well.”

Ms Gough said she was aware that the A1 Western Bypass became congested at times but stressed studies by the Highways Agency and Department for Transport continued to look at improvements necessary.

“If we widened it, we would need to be sure that we didn’t just get more lanes with the same level of congestion.”

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, founder of the A1 campaign group, said: “I think it is fair to say that all the reports I have seen historically have failed to invest any time or energy in looking at the future potential economic benefits to the North East and Scottish borders.

“This is one of the key aspects that the A1 dualling campaign is going to look at and challenge.”

The Tory Parliamentary candidate for Berwick added that the campaign had to show the authorities they could no longer ignore the issue.

She added that she had backing from business and councils north and south of the border.