A1 takes centre stage in North election battle

Apr 30 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

THE A1 has taken centre stage in the election battle as the main parties fight to convince voters they have the money, will power and political know-how to see the vital route dualled.

After the Conservatives announced they would change the route from one designated as a regional responsibility to a road of national importance, MPs have jumped in to say why their party would do the most to improve the neglected carriageway.

Such a move by the Tories would mean the road has a chance of accessing a multi-billion pound national transport pot rather than the more limited funds available in the North East.

But the Liberal Democrats yesterday insisted that Nick Clegg had already promised to find the cash for the road, although he stopped short of making it a manifesto commitment.

None of the parties have any written promises to improve the road, but last night all three were setting out their case for a road which has for years been ignored.

The Lib Dems accused the Tories of “once again” making false promises and raising hopes of dualling the road without providing the funds.

Sir Alan Beith, campaigning to be returned as Berwick MP, has called on the Tories to show where the money would come from for the potentially vote-winning policy.

He said: “It’s right to treat the road as one of national strategic importance but that does not bring dualling any nearer without a specific commitment to A1 funding.

“It simply puts us in competition with many busier roads in other parts of England and we still remember the 1992 Tory promise which was soon forgotten by the Conservative government.”

For Labour, Nick Brown put forward a solution to use both national and regional cash.