Dashcam footage has captured the moment a motorhome was forced to make a U-turn in the middle of a dual carriageway section of the A1 in Northumberland after ending up on the wrong side of the road. The video, recorded by local wagon driver Dave Henderson, shows the vehicle turning around after travelling south in the northbound carriageway near the Swarland junction.
Fortunately, nobody was injured and the vehicle was able to turn around safely. Local councillors have said the footage shows the urgent need for safety improvements on the notorious stretch of road through the county.
Councillor calls road 'not fit for purpose'
Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, who represents the Bamburgh ward and is a cabinet member at the county council, said: "This is just further evidence that this road isn't fit for purpose."
"It is being added to the dossier the Northumberland A1 Road Safety Alliance campaign group are producing and it will also be seen by officers at the council. It is further proof for the Government that this road needs sorting out."
Much of the A1 in Northumberland remains single carriageway, and campaigners have been calling for these sections to be made dual carriageway for decades. However, there are some short sections - including the stretch that passes Swarland - that are already dualled.
Concerns over junctions and tourist traffic
There is now concern that many junctions on these sections are no longer fit for purpose and require significant upgrades. There has been a rise in the level of traffic using the road in recent years, with the north Northumberland Coast becoming a particular hotspot for tourists.
Council leader Glen Sanderson has been calling consistently for the entire route to be upgraded to dual carriageway. He feels the poor junctions and repeated changes from single to dual carriageway cause confusion for visitors.
He said: "It's a shocking video. Because of the way the A1 is and the amount of people that are using it, people simply get confused by the junctions."
"It is that confusion that often leads to tragedy. It needs a total rethink."
"People would normally think that this main route ought to be of to quality and safety standards that don't cause confusion. I have great sympathy with people who get confused."
Campaign to dual the A1 gains momentum
The campaign to get the road dualled has been reignited in recent weeks after a number of serious accidents this year that have resulted in several people losing their lives. The NASA has started a parliamentary petition that has been signed by almost 3,600 people.
The Chronicle and Journal are heading a new campaign to dual the A1, and has brought together a coalition of political, business and community leaders to support that call after a number of recent deaths on the road. A petition to dual the A1 launched alongside the campaign has now secured more than 3,600 signatures.
Coun Sanderson continued: "I want to keep the campaign on. Every bit of evidence helps to build the case for action that is desperately needed."
"Saying it is not needed is misguided and very wrong. I am not going to accept this situation, and we will continue to fight and express our views on behalf of all the people involved and those who have suffered."
The Government has committed to carrying out safety improvements on the A1 in Northumberland as part of the Road Investment Strategy (RIS). However, the dual carriageway scheme is currently off the table, with officials deeming the £500 million cost as too expensive.
