Economic case for dualling the A1 in Northumberland must be made to new Prime Minister, stresses councillor
The leader of Northumberland Labour has insisted a strong economic case for dualling the A1 must be made to the new Prime Minister if the project is to go ahead.
While Cllr Scott Dickinson believed Andy Burnham’s tenure would be positive for the north, he said a compelling case would still be needed if Westminster was to splash out on the scheme.
The project was scrapped under Keir Starmer in 2024, with officials branding the £500 million cost as unaffordable.
However, the campaign has been reignited in recent months after a string of serious collisions that have seen several people lose their lives.
Cllr Dickinson said: “I think Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister is positive for the north. It was really good this week to see the first Number 10 North meeting that also had our North East Mayor round the table with the Prime Minister.
“Despite the criticism, Manchester is far more northern than Westminster. Coming in as a former cabinet minister to then go out as a regional mayor, working with councils and other organisations, gives Andy a really good understanding of local government, local infrastructure, and of economic corridors like the A1.
“People have failed to make the case for the economic benefit as well as the safety benefits. An economic impact assessment hasn’t been done since the Labour administration at County Hall did one in 2015.
“We have to demonstrate the economic benefits of this if we’re challenging the value for money element. Businesses are saying it will benefit them, we have got to show there are economic benefits for the public.
“We’re on different fronts where people are looking at it differently and we need to come together. With a new Prime Minister and the Green Book being rewritten, the case has to be hung on something – the economic benefits are key.”
Cllr Dickinson has previously said he believes a Burnham premiership would represent the best hope of the project being approved. Meanwhile, Northumberland County Council has confirmed it will spend £20,000 on building an evidence base to be submitted to Government later this year in support of the scheme.