A GOVERNMENT transport spokesman in the Lords has defended the failure to fully dual the A1 – declaring motorists are better off using a different road.

Tory Whip Earl Attlee, who speaks on transport for the coalition, said it was quicker using the M6 via Carlisle to get to Scotland from Newcastle than the A1 via Berwick. But he admitted he had not actually driven that route after peers across the political divide called for action to upgrade the A1 through Northumberland.

North East crossbencher Lord Walton of Detchant asked if upgrade work had been considered for inclusion in the Chancellor’s autumn statement on the economy, setting out funding for transport schemes including the Tyne and Wear Metro.

He said it was now time to fully dual the road from Newcastle to Edinburgh nearly 20 years after a commitment to do that was made by then Tory minister Lord Caithness.

“Is the noble earl, Lord Attlee, aware that two schemes were in an advanced state of preparation in Northumberland to begin in 2009 but, when the previous Government downgraded that road to one of regional importance, they were postponed?” he asked.

“Now that the coalition has upgraded the road to national importance, is it not time that these delayed schemes should be embarked upon and expedited?”

Earl Attlee replied: “The interim Regional Transport Board for the North East recommended to the Government in 2006 that proposals for the A1 Adderstone to Belford, and A1 Morpeth to Felton schemes were not funding priorities for the period up to 2016.

“The department (for transport) therefore did not have a scheme to consider for the autumn statement. However, it is good news that the Government have decided that that section of road is of national importance.”

He said there were very good road connections from Tyneside, and that it was quicker to Scotland via the M6 corridor through Carlisle than via Berwick.