The UK Government has announced a £250m investment in upgrading the A1 north of Newcastle as part of a £15bn “roads revolution”. The plans will feature as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd December).
The announcement includes the dualling of 13 miles of single carriageway as well as junction widening and climbing lanes on the remaining stretch of single carriageways.
Despite pressure mounting on them, the SNP have so far refused to make any commitment to invest in the A1 in Scotland. John Lamont MSP and David Roach, Scottish Conservative candidate for East Lothian have issued a joint statement calling for much needed investment in the route.
East Lothian Parliamentary candidate David Roach said:
“The Conservatives in Westminster are delivering for the North East of England, and locally we are campaigning for the same in East Lothian. I therefore call upon Nicola Sturgeon to match Conservative ambitions, and spend the money needed to complete the dualling of the A1 in my constituency.
“Local businesses and commuters want to see the A1 dualled between Berwick and Dunbar to ease congestion, improve road safety, and help better connect the local economy. And they have the Conservative Party’s full support. The A1 is an important route linking Edinburgh with London, but amazingly in the 21st century, parts of the road are still only single carriageway. This needs to change.”
John Lamont MSP said:
“Despite increasing pressure over recent months the SNP are still refusing to match the UK Government’s commitment to invest in the A1. Investment in this road would reduce journey times, provide more jobs and improve transport links for businesses in the Borders.
“The thousands of Borders residents who use the A1 every year are calling out for this road to be dualled, yet the SNP continue to ignore them.
“Whilst other roads in Scotland continue to see further investment, the SNP Government in Edinburgh is refusing to do likewise for significant cross border routes like the A1.”