Plug us into the network

Oct 25 2006 By Ross Smith, The Journal

A motorway link from London to Newcastle was yesterday named as one of the top priorities of the Northern Way project designed to end the North-South divide.

The project's transport boss, John Jarvis, told a conference yesterday that upgrading the A1 to Tyneside is "fundamental" to the North's economy.

The announcement, at a Northern regeneration event in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, represents a shift up the project's priorities for the A1.

When the Northern Way was first launched two years ago, its transport priorities were dominated by Leeds and Manchester.

However, while research has shown improvements around those two cities would bring the biggest economic benefits, Mr Jarvis said yesterday: "Also of fundamental importance is connecting the North-East to the national motorway network and achieving a blue line from Newcastle to London, instead of the reduction in quality of the A1 through North Yorkshire."

He highlighted constraints on development in the North-East due to congestion, which have been raised through the Go For Jobs campaign. The M62 between Leeds and Manchester was the only other road scheme listed as a priority by Mr Jarvis yesterday.

However, there was disappointment that improvements to the A1 in Northumberland were not included.

Berwick MP Alan Beith said: "We're not looking for a motorway, but I think there's a more pressing case for dualling the A1 in Northumberland."

The transport priorities have been highlighted to the Government ahead of the Chancellor's comprehensive spending review next summer. Spending departments, including the Department for Transport, have been told by the Treasury they must show in their own CSR submissions how their plans fit with the Northern Way.

Mr Jarvis warned that road pricing will be needed in the North. He said: "We've clear evidence that traffic growth will outstrip capacity.

"The more we look at closing the output gap in the North's economy, the more that capacity will be outstripped without measures to reduce that demand."

Page 2: Whitehall's mandarins stand in way of reform