Fresh plea in campaign to dual the A1

Jun 1 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

MINISTERS have been urged to act quickly on a promise to support a campaign to dual the A1.

Theresa Villiers, the Conservative shadow transport minister in the run-up to the election, said the party would change the funding behind the A1 from a limited, regional pot to a much bigger national funding stream.

The Journal’s Case for the North East warned decision-makers of the continued need for better transport connections if they want the UK economy to benefit further from a resurgent North East.

A1 campaigner and Berwick’s Tory parliamentary candidate at the time Anne-Marie Trevelyan says she expects to meet roads minister Mike Penning within a fortnight to discuss the proposals.

She said: “I’ve spoken to Theresa and I know she has brought Mike up to speed with the proposal.

“She and the party are fully committed to the pledge, but of course we in Berwick will not stop fighting for the road because we know how important it is to everyone here.”

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said the new administration would be looking at this and other decisions over the next few months.