Calls for speed cameras to be brought in on A1 in Northumberland
Residents in Northumberland have called for speed cameras to be installed on the A1 in a bid to reduce accidents.
While there are many who believe that full dualling of the single carriageway sections is the only way to improve safety, others say speed cameras could reduce drivers taking risks.
Calls to dual the road have been reignited in recent days after five people lost their lives in two serious accidents in the space of nine days. However, the Government has so far refused to look at the case again after scrapping plans in 2024.
This has lead to many road users taking to social media to call for speed cameras. Average speed cameras in particular have been widely suggested.
There are already six speed cameras between Stannington and Berwick, although these are fixed as opposed to average.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has said that “research on average speed cameras has demonstrated significant positive effects on road safety” and that the cameras “substantially decreased injury collisions, especially those of higher severity”.
Research by the RAC Foundation said: “First, there is cause for optimism about the overall collision reduction benefits of average speed cameras. Taking account of overall trends and regression to the mean, permanent average speed camera sites were found to, on average, reduce injury collisions, particularly those of highest severity.”
In Northumberland, average speed cameras were installed on the A69 in the south west of the county.
According to figures from the North East Road Safety Resource, between the introduction of the cameras in autumn 2019 and November 2025, there were a total of 85 casualties recorded on the single carriageway sections of the A69.
Over the same time period before the camera’s introduction, there were 146 casualties. However, the former period included the Covid years were there was less traffic on the road.
Furthermore, there have been eight fatalities on the A69 since the cameras were introduced compared to seven in the period before. In terms of serious injuries, 31 incidents have been recorded as such since the cameras were brought in, with 37 in the years before.
Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Conservative cabinet member at Northumberland County Council, said the council was unlikely to back the calls for speed cameras on the A1
He said: “I think one of the problems with the road is people get frustrated with slow moving traffic. Average speed cameras would make that worse.
“We wouldn’t be supportive of that.”
The Government has said it is committed to carrying out safety improvements on the A1. However, it has not given any specific details of any projects, or given any timescales.