Labour leader Coun Scott Dickinson has insisted that a compelling economic case must be presented to the new Prime Minister if the A1 dualling project is to be approved. The project was scrapped in 2024 under Keir Starmer, with officials deeming the £500 million cost unaffordable. However, a string of serious collisions in recent months, resulting in several fatalities, has reignited the campaign.
Renewed push for A1 dualling
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Coun Dickinson said: "I think Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister is positive for the North. It was really good this week to see the first Number 10 North meeting that also had our North East Mayor round the table with the Prime Minister."
He added: "Despite the criticism, Manchester is far more northern than Westminster. Coming in as a former cabinet minister to then go out as a regional mayor, working with councils and other organisations, gives Andy a really good understanding of local government, local infrastructure, and of economic corridors like the A1."
Dickinson stressed that previous efforts to secure funding had failed to demonstrate the economic benefits. "People have failed to make the case for the economic benefit as well as the safety benefits. An economic impact assessment hasn't been done since the Labour administration at county hall did one in 2015," he said.
"We have to demonstrate the economic benefits of this if we're challenging the value for money element. Businesses are saying it will benefit them, we have got to show there are economic benefits for the public. We're on different fronts where people are looking at it differently and we need to come together. With a new Prime Minister and the Green Book being rewritten, the case has to be hung on something - the economic benefits are key."
Northumberland County Council has confirmed it will spend £20,000 on building an evidence base to be submitted to the Government later this year in support of the scheme. Supporters hope to see the single carriageway sections of the road between Morpeth and Berwick converted into dual carriageway.
