A1 dualling in Northumberland on track for 2024 finish
A total of 13 miles along the route are due to be converted to dual carriageway, between Morpeth and Ellingham.
But before work can begin, travel chiefs are still waiting on a decision from the Government’s planning inspectorate on whether the scheme should be given the green light.
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Hide Ad“We’re expecting the inspector’s decision in January 2022, following which there will be a cooling off period, allowing for the start of works in the summer,” said Stuart Culley, community engagement manager at Costain, a contractor appointed to the road upgrade.
“We’re looking to to get the scheme open for traffic in 2024/25.”
Project chiefs at National Highways, formerly known as Highways England, have previously predicted work will start in earnest between July – September next year.
Cllr Gordon Castle, member for Alnwick on Northumberland County Council, said: “Whilst this long anticipated project has been slowed over lockdown I have always remained confident as soon as the funding was allocated by treasury that it would go ahead.
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Hide Ad"It has been through the unavoidably drawn out national planning cycle for major works and I understand that clearance can be expected in late spring next year.
"This means that a start next summer is realistic and will, I hope, convince the many cynics and doubters that this project is real.”
The scheme has been split into two sections, with Government cash worth £290m allocated towards making it a reality.
The first stretch, between Morpeth and Felton, will see:
- Eight miles of road upgraded to dual carriageway;
- A bypass constructed between Priests Bridge and Burgham Park and
- A new subway and bridge over the River Coquet.
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Hide AdThe second section, between Alnwick and Ellingham, will include:
- A five-mile portion of highway converted to dual carriageway, and
- A new junction at Charlton Mires.
Updating Northumberland County Council’s Castle Morpeth Local Area Council on progress so far, Mr Culley said: “The scheme has has been relatively quiet recently, in terms of the public domain, but it doesn’t preclude the extensive work that’s going on behind the scenes.”