Road danger warning

May 5 2006 By Ross Smith, The Journal

The Government was told by a top engineer yesterday it risks doing major damage to the North's economy if it fails to upgrade the A1.

Gordon Masterton, president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said there is no excuse for any further delays to improving the road.

And he said the region's economy is being held back by delays to job creating developments caused by fears over whether major roads could cope.

A study published in November 2002 recommended widening the Western Bypass around Tyneside due to congestion problems.

But in July 2003, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling rejected the plan, saying it would draw more local traffic on to the road. The Highways Agency is currently working on new proposals for the A1.

On a visit to the North-East, Mr Masterton said yesterday: "The whole thing really needs action. The Government has had enough time to do as many studies as it needs."

He said one solution would be to build a new road, so the bypass does not cater for both through-traffic and local journeys.

The cost of widening the bypass, according to the 2002 study, would be £271m. But Mr Masterton said: "I think the costs of not doing it are even greater. The congestion is so severe, the whole area is stifled for new development.

"These are always tough decisions because they do involve capital expenditure, but it will have payback. The costs of not doing it are significantly greater in terms of stifling the economy."

He also called for the Government to make dualling the road through Northumberland a national priority, claiming it is a "nonsense" there should be single carriageway bottlenecks.

The remarks were yesterday welcomed by the North-East Chamber of Commerce which, along with The Journal, is leading the Go For Jobs campaign to stop poor transport links damaging business in the region.

Policy director Andrew Sugden said: "We would fully support Mr Masterton's comments." Mr Masterton was in the North to present the Robert Stephenson Awards for civil engineering in the region.

The prize for projects costing more than £2m went to the River Gaunless Flood Alleviation Scheme in Bishop Auckland, while the award for smaller schemes was given to the refurbishment of Brown's Boathouse, in Durham City.

Questions and answers

What is go for JOBS?

It is a campaign backed by The Journal, our sister paper the Evening Gazette, and the North-East Chamber of Commerce. It is prompted by the Highways Agency's use of Article 14 to stop business developments, potentially creating thousands of jobs, if they involve adding more cars to the A1 or A19.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

It may be valid in areas where roads are already upgraded and the economy is over-heating.

But in the North-East, the transport infrastructure suffers from under-investment, and the economy has to catch up with the rest of the country. This will delay road improvements, and block new job-creating businesses, in a region that badly needs both.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN?

We believe the Highways Agency should lift Article 14 orders that are in place, and stop using the powers around these roads.

SO HOW DO WE DEAL WITH CONGESTION?

The agency and local councils need to come up better alternatives to ease congestion. These could include a "fast lane" on the Western bypass for through traffic, which is closed off to junctions. Public transport should be improved.

HOW ABOUT THE LONG TERM?

There should be no further delay to the upgrades to the A1 and A19.