Roads: A1

House of Lords written question – answered at on 10 November 2008.

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Photo of Lord Bates Lord Bates Deputy Chair, Conservative Party

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What decisions have been taken on the proposals for (a) upgrading the A1 western bypass in Gateshead and (b) upgrading to dual carriageway the A1 between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed; and what are the costs of these projects.

Photo of Lord Adonis Lord Adonis Minister of State, Department for Transport, Minister of State (Department for Transport)

No decisions have yet been taken on the Al western bypass in Gateshead. The project is currently at the options identification stage and the Highways Agency has identified a range of options with a wide range of cost estimates, which have not yet been checked and validated. A report to Ministers on these options is expected in the first half of 2009.

On the Al between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed, two schemes—Adderstone to Belford and Morpeth to Felton—were developed up to preferred route status (2005). These schemes were designated regional schemes to be funded from the north-east region's regional funding allocation (RFA), and in 2006 the region advised the Secretary of State that they would not prioritise these schemes within their funding allocation. Work on these schemes was therefore halted. The region has been asked to review its priorities within the RFA this year and submit its advice to Ministers in early 2009.

The Adderstone to Belford and Morpeth to Felton schemes have not been worked on since 2005, therefore no recent cost estimates are available at present.

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