MP calls for safety improvements at most dangerous junctions on the A1 in Northumberland

David Smith, Labour MP for North Northumberland, pressed the case during a meeting with senior leaders from National Highways on Wednesday.

The meeting was arranged in the wake of the government’s decision to scrap plans to upgrade 13-miles of single carriageway between Morpeth and Ellingham.

It also came a day after a man was seriously injured in a four-vehicle collision near Shilbottle.

Mr Smith said: “I said I'd press for improved safety on the A1 from Morpeth to Berwick. Following yesterday's horrific accident I today met with senior leaders from National Highways to establish next steps and determined to push this forward:

“I made the case for substantial safety improvements on the most dangerous stretches of road. Thank you to all of you who got in touch with incredibly helpful and detailed suggestions, many of which I shared.

“National Highways are undertaking a route survey on the road - some of their data on the A1 is now ten years old - and this will inform the different options we can take, including simple measures (signage, road markings) and expensive options (acceleration lanes and grade seperation).

“In January I will be again meeting with Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads to press the urgency of getting funding to improve the road and its most dangerous junctions. The Government recently announced £1.7bn for roads and I will be fighting for as much as we can get.

“I would like to again extend my thoughts and prayers to all those involved in yesterday's incident, as well as my appreciation for our fantastic emergency services. No-one should have to fear driving home. I will do everything I can to make our road safe.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her first Budget that Labour was scrapping dualling plans despite £67m having already been spent in the planning stages and acquiring land. The government has deemed it ‘unfunded and unaffordable’ with Ms Reeves insisting she will not offer ‘false hope’.

Concerns have also been raised recently by county council leader Glen Sanderson about increased levels of traffic using Felton as a rat-run to avoid tailbacks on the A1.