13 North East MPs call on Andy Burnham to open discussions on funding of A1 dualling
The PM has previously said he's open to 'alternative ways' of funding the work - something a group of local MPs now want to discuss
There are repeated calls to improve safety on the A1 in the North East.
13 local MPs and the leader of Northumberland Council have written a letter to the Prime Minister and Transport Secretary, calling for action on dualling the stretch between Morpeth and Berwick.
Andy Burnham has previously said he's open to 'alternative ways' of funding the work - something the group of MPs now want to discuss.
Here's the letter in full:
'Dear Prime Minister, Heidi Alexander and John Healey,
'We are writing to warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to work with the North East Mayor and ourselves to find a way to fund the improvement, and ultimately the dualling, of the A1 from Morpeth through to Berwick.
'We strongly support the Government’s ambition to secure a better future for the North East, and we believe the A1 has a central role to play in delivering it.
'For people across Northumberland and the wider North East, this is first and foremost about their everyday lives. The A1 is the road people rely on to get to work, take their children to school, reach hospital appointments, see family and friends, access services and run their businesses.
'Too many people now approach journeys on the A1 with anxiety because of its safety record, its single-carriageway sections and the delays and disruption that can follow even relatively minor incidents.
'The human cost has been profound. The recent fatalities on the road have rightly renewed the urgency of this issue. We welcome the Government’s investment in immediate safety improvements through Road Investment Strategy 3, and believe these must continue.
'But we also believe that, in the longer term, we need to be ambitious enough to address the underlying problems of the road. Dualling is an essential part of that ambition.
'The case for the A1 is about much more than transport. It is about whether people in the North East can have the same confidence in their infrastructure as people elsewhere in the country.
'It is about whether businesses can move goods reliably, whether people can access employment and opportunity, whether visitors can reach our towns and coast, and whether communities along the route can unlock their full potential.
'The A1 is a strategic national route connecting the North East with the rest of England and Scotland - the main, national, North-South road on the east coast of the country. Improving it would strengthen connectivity across the region, support investment and business growth, improve access to jobs and services, and help unlock the wider economic potential of the North East.
'In that sense, investment in the A1 should be seen not simply as a road project, but as part of the long-term transformation of our regional economy.
'We recognise the difficult decisions this Government has had to take on inherited infrastructure commitments and public finances. We also recognise that delivering a project of this scale will require a different approach to funding and a long-term programme of work.
'That is why we particularly welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to work with us and the Mayor to find a way forward.
'We now want to ensure that we play our full part in helping the Government deliver on that ambition.
'We would therefore welcome your guidance on what you would like from us, collectively, to support national and regional delivery.
'In particular, we would be keen to work with Ministers and officials on:
• building the strongest possible case for investment in the A1, including its safety, economic and wider social benefits;
• supporting the development of a credible long-term programme towards the ultimate dualling of the route;
• making the case across Government and with the Treasury for the A1 to be considered as a strategic intervention capable of transforming the North East economy;
• working cross-party along with National Highways, businesses and local communities to build the regional consensus and practical support necessary to deliver the improvements;
• And identifying any work that we as politicians can undertake nationally or regionally to help overcome the barriers to delivery and develop the funding solution.
'We are determined that this should be a shared endeavour between Government, Parliament and the North East. We do not want simply to make the case for investment; we want to help make the investment happen.
'The Prime Minister’s commitment gives us an important opportunity to move beyond a debate that has gone on for far too long and towards a practical, deliverable plan. We believe the Government can be the Government that finally gives people across Northumberland and the wider North East an A1 that is safer, more reliable and fit for the future.
'We are very supportive of that ambition and would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you what more we can do, collectively, to help turn it into reality.'