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Cost of cancelled A1 dualling rises to £68.4m

National Highways A computer generated image of a dualled A1 passing through fields with traffic moving on each side National Highways
National Highways spent £15.8m on the preliminary design of the cancelled project

The cost of a project to dual the A1 rose to £68.4m before the Labour government announced its cancellation last year.

Plans to upgrade the 13-mile (20km) section of road between Morpeth and Ellingham had already been postponed three times by the previous Conservative government.

The figures, from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the BBC, revealed the costs of the project continued to increase despite the scheme not being signed off, up from £67m in 2023.

In a statement the Department of Transport (DfT) said: "Given the challenging financial picture inherited, we have had to make difficult decisions about a number of roads as they were unfunded or unaffordable."

Lots of cars and a couple of campervans are in a long queue of traffic on the A1 in Northumberland. You can also see a sign to the villages of Ulgham and Tritlington
Campaigners have argued congestion on the A1 impacts the region's economy

In Northumberland, 42 miles (66km) of the A1 are still single carriageway and campaigners have called for its widening for decades.

In May 2024, the then Secretary of State for Transport approved the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the scheme to dual part of it, raising hopes construction work could begin.

However, the Labour government shelved it in October, describing it "as having poor value for money and limited economic benefits for the region".

Deborah Wong A lorry makes its way slowly along a narrow country lane.Deborah Wong
Campaigners say a congested A1 leads to drivers using unsuitable alternative routes

The FOI revealed expenditure to date on the project includes

  • £4m on the purchase of three properties, associated land and a paddock
  • £15.8m on the preliminary design
  • £31.6m construction preparation
  • £7.2m on surveys and professional fees
David Cameron, the then MP for Berwick, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and another politician all wearing hi-vis jackets stand in front of a sign pointing to Alnwick
David Cameron announced the A1 scheme in 2014

Glen Sanderson, Conservative leader of Northumberland County Council, said it was "concerning" public money had been used for a project "that is now not going to be done".

"It's extremely disappointing, and we have done what we can in talking to government and getting a timetable back for the scheme.

"Many people have lost their lives on that road and we have come to the point when during the summer months it often comes to a standstill."

Laura and Scott Clarehugh run Northumberland Woodland Burials and Crematorium, near Felton, and want the A1 to be dualled to improve access to the site.

Scott and Laura Clarehugh, are standing in front of a sign saying Northumberland Woodland Burials and Crematorium. They are both young and wearing tweed waistcoats and white shirts.
Scott and Laura Clarehugh, who run Northumberland Woodland Burials and Crematorium, have campaigned for the A1 to be dualled

Mrs Clarehugh said: "They were going to take about three acres but nothing had been signed.

"It just feels so wasteful, for there to be so much money invested, and then to pull the plug on it, just seems such poor planning."

A National Highways spokesperson said: "We carefully review expenditure on all proposed projects to ensure that lessons are learned, and processes are improved for any future road improvement schemes."

A DfT spokesperson added: "We're committed to boosting growth across the country and National Highways will explore solutions to this section of the A1 that offer the best value for money."

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