Mayor’s letter voices frustration over A1 dualling progress

The Mayor of Alnwick has sent a letter to local MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan, expressing his frustration at the lack of progress with plans to dual the A1.

Councillor Geoff Watson sent the letter following a discussion at the meeting of Alnwick Town Council on 8th June.

He wrote: ‘I am writing on behalf of Alnwick Town Council to express the Council’s frustration at your failure to deliver on the pledge you made in 2007 during the A1 campaign and during your 2015 and 2017 election campaigns to ensure the dualling of the A1 in Northumberland.’

‘On 1st December 2014 it was announced to Parliament by the Department for Transport that construction was due to begin in 2019. You sought election in 2015 using, amongst other things, this Road Investment Strategy announcement as proof that you were going to deliver the dualling of this major route through Northumberland. Highways England subsequently stated that the dualling was re-scheduled for 2021 with full opening in 2023.’

‘You continued to induce voters in 2017 by promising that the A1 dualling was a top priority. We are now in June 2023, 9 years since you first used the A1 dualling to help persuade voters of this constituency to elect you and despite the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto that promised to reduce the economic imbalances between the North and South, we are still waiting for the promised upgrade of the A1 in Northumberland.’

‘As the dualling of the A1 will continue to be a major issue at the next election perhaps you can advise us what steps you intend to take to fulfil the assurances you gave at the previous two elections.’

Councillor Watson added “After the discussion during the council meeting, we felt it was right to make Ms Trevelyan aware of the strength of feeling that had been expressed. I am disappointed that I am still awaiting a response.”