£290m scheme to dual A1 from Newcastle to Ellingham takes major step forward

Highways England say the dual carriageway road should open in 2023 – but warned there could be disruptionTransport bosses have unveiled plans for the next section of the A1 set to be transformed into a dual carriageway.The stretch of road from Alnwick to Ellingham will be the last to gain a second lane, as part of a £290m scheme to improve safety and journey times on the major road.In June, Highways England revealed details of the upgrade for the stretch between Morpeth and Felton, as part of a scheme which will see two-lane roads all the way from Newcastle to Ellingham.Now, it has launched a second consultation, ahead of applying for planning permission to dual the carriageway between Alnwick and Ellingham.The new section of road will stretch for 5.3miles, starting at the end of the Alnwick bypass and joining the existing dual carriageway at Brownieside, near Ellingham.While the Morpeth to Felton route involves a new carriageway being built to the west of part of the existing road, the works on this section will all be done on the existing route.The plan is to remove the direct access on to the A1 from properties and side roads to create “safer” access onto the carriageway for local traffic.A footbridge to allow pedestrian access across the A1 will be constructed, either at Heckley Fence or Broxfield, depending on the outcome of the consultation.A split-level junction is planned for Charlton Mires, roughly halfway along the route, creating access to local roads.Subject to full permission being granted, the work from Morpeth is set to start in 2020, with the Alnwick to Ellingham works beginning in 2021.Under the scheme, junction improvements to the road North of Ellingham have already begun.Work on junctions at Cheswick, Warenford, Station Road, Haggerstone Castle, Purdy Lodge and Fenham Hill will be started by the end of March 2020.The consultation will run until Monday, April 8, with planning permission expected to be sought this summer.Consultation events for the Alnwick to Ellingham route will be held at:Rennington Village Hall – March 7, 3pm – 8pm, Rennington, NE66 3RRRennington Village Hall – March 16, 10am – 3pm, Rennington, NE66 3RRWillowburn Leisure Centre – March 20, 3pm – 8pm, Willowburn Avenue, Alnwick, NE66 2JHWillowburn Leisure Centre – March 30, 10am – 4pm, Willowburn Avenue, Alnwick, NE66 2JH