MPs urged to boost A1 case

Mar 8 2007 By Ross Smith, The Journal

North MPs were yesterday urged to step up pressure on the Highways Agency to unveil crucial plans for the A1.

North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham has written to all Tyne and Wear MPs asking them to press for upgrade proposals to be made public.

Highways Agency bosses promised in January 2006 that plans for the road would be made public last year.

However, they later said they would be delayed until a transport innovation fund study for the area is completed in 2008 - despite study leaders insisting it is wrong to link the two reports.

The upgrade is considered vital to resolving blocks on development around the road highlighted by NECC and The Journal through the Go For Jobs campaign.

However, Mr Ramsbotham has warned MPs they may need to accept some changes to junctions in their constituencies as part of the upgrade.

He said last night: "We are looking for robust plans that will improve not only our region's transport links but, in turn, the regional economy. I appreciate that this will be a potentially thorny issue as some of the recommendations the agency could propose may include re-ordering access points to the A1.

"One of the major strengths of the Go For Jobs campaign has been the unity between business, political and media circles in pushing for positive change for the good of all.

"I would like MPs to know that they have the continued full support of NECC and its 4,500 members across the North-East as we continue to lobby for a 21st century transport system fit for serving our members and their constituents."

Councillors in Newcastle have previously warned the Highways Agency they would fight against plans to close junctions as part of an upgrade to the A1.

The Western Bypass is the region's biggest congestion hotspot, operating at 167% of its capacity at peak times.

The Highways Agency has cited congestion on the road - along with the A19 - for delaying a string of job-creating business developments and pouring cold water on Government-backed housing schemes.

Problems on the A19 will be eased through a series of planned junction improvements and the long-awaited second Tyne Tunnel, due to open in 2011.

However, despite a study in 2002 saying capacity increases are needed on the Western Bypass - a move which was put off by the then Transport Secretary Alistair Darling - no work on that road is yet planned.