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Government scraps A1 dualling plan

BBC A single carriageway stretch of the A1 in Northumberland taken from a junction with a lorry going past. There are a number of cars further along the road.BBC
The scheme would have provided a continuous stretch of dual carriageway to Ellingham

The government has announced the scheme to dual the A1 in Northumberland will not go ahead.

The previous Conservative administration gave the green light to the project for the stretch between Morpeth and Ellingham in May, having previously postponed it three times.

Documents published after the chancellor’s budget address to the House of Commons revealed the Department for Transport had deemed the scheme "unfunded and unaffordable".

Louis Fell, a land agent for many of the farmers affected, has called the decision "absolutely heartbreaking" for the county.

"So much money has already been spent, on buying properties and land, on surveys and plans," Mr Fell added.

"It just seems criminal not to go ahead."

Louis Fell, wearing wellington boots and a green jacket, stands in front of a large Georgian farmhouse. It is rectangular with large windows and a chimney and has bushes around the door.
Louis Fell says many properties, like the farm at Charlton Mires, have already been purchased by National Highways

Northumberland County Council Deputy Leader Richard Wearmouth said he was "shocked" at the cancellation and called the decision "incredibly disappointing".

He added the Conservative-run council would campaign to get the project "back up and running at the earliest opportunity".

"The project was literally shovel ready," Wearmouth said.

"The scheme is of vital importance to our local and regional economy.

"It would strengthen the Union in terms of better links to Scotland and it would significantly improve safety for Northumberland residents."

He said he would contact National Highways to make sure work done so far was not "squandered" .

But David Smith, Labour MP for North Northumberland, defended the government's decision to scrap the scheme.

"I'm disappointed that this unfunded and un-costed commitment was promised for so long by the Conservative government, despite them never having either the money nor the intention to deliver the proposed project," he said.

He added he would be meeting with the transport secretary to discuss improving the A1's safety record throughout Northumberland.

Amanda and Martin Beal are sitting on a brown sofa. They are a middle-aged couple and she is looking at him while he stares at the camera.
Martin Beal says stress over the A1 plans made his late wife Amanda's last months more difficult

The A1 dualling scheme was first raised more than 15 years ago and has already cost at least £67m, although construction has not begun.

One man whose family farm was bought to make way for the project said he was "disgusted" at the amount of money spent.

Martin Beal's family had lived at Charlton Mires since 1904, but their home was bought by National Highways.

His wife Amanda has since died of cancer and Mr Beal says the stress over the A1 made her last months more difficult.

The situation has left them in a state of uncertainty as they can not get planning permission to build a new property until their old one is demolished.

"The whole thing is just a joke, I don't know what they're going to do with my family home," Mr Beal said.

"What an incredible waste of money."

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