Call for Northumberland residents to get involved with A1 plans

The project manager for the scheme to dual the A1 said they hope to have completed all works by 2023 as a series of public-awareness events started today.
The A1 where it becomes single-carriageway at Felton.The A1 where it becomes single-carriageway at Felton.
The A1 where it becomes single-carriageway at Felton.

Highways England is currently investigating and developing options for the dualling of the single-carriageway sections from Morpeth to Felton and Alnwick to Ellingham as well as improvements to the trunk road further north.

It follows a feasibility study in 2014 which led to the Prime Minister announcing £290million of funding in December that year.

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Now, residents are being given the chance to find out more about the various options being considered ahead of a public consultation on the final options in the autumn.

It is planned to start construction on the north of Ellingham improvements in 2018 and the dualling scheme in 2020. Today, project manager Nanette Hoyle said that 2023 is the target date for completion of all schemes.

She said that they want to give residents the opportunity to meet the project team and comment on the work done so far. They are keen to get feedback on the options from local people to make sure the proposals address the problems, to highlight local issues or issues that they may not have considered to this point.

“The aim is to assess the costs and benefits so it’s really important that people see and comment upon the proposals at this stage,” she said.

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“We have made some really great progress in terms of working with the council, MPS and councillors to understand the issues and what we really need now is the views of the people who live, work and travel in the area to really help us take it forward.”

The first event in Morpeth Town Hall is underway now and runs until 8pm, while the venue hosts another drop-in on Thursday from 1.30pm to 8pm.

The team is at Bell View in Belford tomorrow, from 10am to 7pm; St James’ Church Centre in Alnwick on Monday, from 11am to 8pm; and Berwick Town Hall next Tuesday, from 10am to 7pm.