Residents keen to see action on A1 dualling

Residents and businesses have been finding out more and having their say as more detailed plans for upgrading the A1 go on show.
The one remaining option for the Alnwick to Ellingham section of dual carriageway.The one remaining option for the Alnwick to Ellingham section of dual carriageway.
The one remaining option for the Alnwick to Ellingham section of dual carriageway.

As reported by the Gazette last week, a series of public exhibitions is taking place ahead of an announcement of the preferred route in the spring.

This follows a series of consultation events in May at which residents were given a first look at what was being proposed in terms of dualling the road from Morpeth to Felton and from Alnwick to Ellingham, and improvements to the north of Ellingham.

The orange option for dualling from Morpeth to Felton.The orange option for dualling from Morpeth to Felton.
The orange option for dualling from Morpeth to Felton.
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Now, there are three more detailed options for dualling from Morpeth to Felton, just one option for the Alnwick to Ellingham section and amended proposals for the improvements further north to incorporate some of the previous feedback.

However, the key issue for our readers on Facebook is to get it done as soon as possible.

For example, Peter Gregory said: ‘I use the A1 travelling the whole length and the part in Northumberland is a joke so just get on with it, they have talked for years now so why keep having meetings, just get on with it, the longer you talk the more costly it will be and there will be more humans lose their life.’

Following the May events, Highways England responded to some of the most common concerns, one of which is this very issue of starting the construction sooner.

The blue option for the dualling from Morpeth to Felton.The blue option for the dualling from Morpeth to Felton.
The blue option for the dualling from Morpeth to Felton.
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It said: ‘It takes time to go through option development and the planning-application process and this informs how quickly we can start construction. However, we are continually reviewing the programme and will keep you informed through our website.’

The booklets detailing the proposals also refer to the progress that has been made so far, which includes design work, gathering traffic data, a ground conditions study, communicating with Northumberland County Council and environmental surveys.

The consultation roadshow was in Alnwick last Friday and Saturday and Berwick yesterday. Today, it will be in Morpeth Masonic Hall, from 11am to 6pm.

It then moves on to Felton Village Hall tomorrow, from 11am to 7pm, and Bell View in Belford on Saturday, from 10am to 5pm.

The public is welcome to attend any of the consultation events. Alternatively, visit www.highways.gov.uk/A1inNorthumberland for more information.