James Robinson

Comments by Prime Minister Andy Burnham have revived hopes that the planned dualling of the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham in Northumberland could be reconsidered through an alternative funding package. The £500m, 13-mile scheme was scrapped in 2024, while a series of crashes in which six people died has intensified calls for action. Northumberland County Council is funding evidence gathering, and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, council leaders and campaigners are pressing the government to make the project a regional priority. Although local leaders view the latest statements as encouraging, concerns remain over securing funding; National Highways is separately considering targeted safety improvements for the route between 2026 and 2031.

Newcastle City Council plans an 18-month trial of red-route restrictions on several city-centre streets to prevent dangerous and obstructive parking, reduce bus delays and improve public transport reliability. Enforcement will begin when the routes become operational, with penalties for most vehicles that stop there; limited exceptions apply to licensed taxis and blue-badge users assisting disabled passengers. A consultation will run during the first six months, after which the council will decide whether to amend, retain or remove the measures. Cabinet member Peter Lovatt supports the scheme, while Reform UK opposition leader Steven Rutherford criticises it as punitive and potentially a revenue-raising exercise.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan claims civil servants resisted the A1 dualling scheme because it failed to meet funding models that favour southern projects, arguing the plan was ready before being cancelled by the incoming Labour government. She criticises the decision to halt the project after significant preparation work and says institutional frameworks hinder investment in northern infrastructure. The Department for Transport cites financial constraints inherited from the previous government and says National Highways will pursue safety and congestion improvements under the upcoming Road Investment Strategy.