House of Commons · Westminster Hall
11 January 2022 · 2 other contributors · 3,647 words
Opened by Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Responding minister: Trudy Harrison
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Alicia Kearns raised concerns about a1: peterborough to blyth in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I ask the Minister to support Highways England in delivering a modernisation programme with urgent safety improvements within RIS2 period. Closure of substandard junctions, provision of a concrete central barrier, and better active traffic management are necessary for improved road safety.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The A1 is failing as a critical artery for the country, with numerous issues including substandard junctions, dangerous right-turn movements, safety issues, congestion hotspots, lack of alternative routes during closures, and inadequate safety technology. Over the past five years, there have been 27 deaths recorded on this section of the A1 and over 201 closures, averaging more than one closure per fortnight.
Mr. Davies highlighted the importance of the A1 road for his constituency, noting frequent accidents and safety concerns due to short slip roads and dangerous crossovers. He called on National Highways to expedite minor improvements funded by designated funds.
Mr. Jenrick supported the debate, emphasizing the need for the A1 to become a motorway and calling for urgent safety improvements on short slip roads in his area. He also urged the Minister to publish plans for dualling the A46 near Newark soon.
Government Response
Trudy HarrisonIt is an absolute pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Nokes. I would like to start by commending my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Alicia Kearns), not just for this debate but for founding and chairing the working group of MPs to improve the A1. We have heard today how important and historic the A1 is, particularly for the midlands. Between 2020 and 2025 we are spending £24 billion on the strategic road network. The core principle in the road investment strategy is to create exactly what has been called for today: a road network that is safe, reliable and efficient for everyone, and sets a long term strategic vision. National Highways regularly undertakes route safety studies across the network; the most recent study of the A1 in the midlands was conducted in September 2020. This included a review of the personal injuries, collisions and casualties recorded on this part of the network. As well as fulfilling an important monitoring purpose, the information is used to identify potential sites for safety improvement schemes. National Highways is also looking at 14 more potential safety schemes between Peterborough and Blyth. We are investing in transport across the east midlands: in its cities, towns, villages and everywhere in between. We are investing in the key local roads that people and businesses rely on, providing £50 million towards the recently opened Lincoln eastern bypass. Through the levelling-up fund, another £50 million has been allocated for access roads to the South Derby growth zone and Infinity Garden Village. In Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, we are supporting the county councils to trial on-demand bus services, improving connections for people in rural and suburban areas. We believe, and I know Members here believe, that better transport connectivity will create new and exciting opportunities for all places, helping them realise their full potential. National Highways will publish the results of the route strategies in its strategic road network initial report later this year. Shortly after that, the Department for Transport will then consult on the SRN initial report and proposals for the draft road investment strategy.