Road Safety on the A1

In a debate on road safety on the A1, Alicia Kearns, the Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, highlighted the importance of this vital road that connects London and Edinburgh. She noted that the A1, also known as the Great North Road, has a long and storied history dating back to the Roman era, and it remains a crucial link for commerce, freight, and people today. Kearns expressed concern over the proliferation of road accidents, including fatal ones, along the stretch of the A1 that runs through her constituency. She cited data showing that in 2022, there were 500 crashes on the A1, 26% more than on the A5 and 16% more than on the A2. Kearns argued that the dual carriageway between Peterborough and Blyth, which passes through Rutland and Stamford, has serious safety issues, including substandard central reservation crossings, junctions, and dangerously short slip lanes. Kearns urged the government to take immediate action, such as introducing a new road sign to warn drivers of short slip roads ahead, and to commit to delivering the conclusions of National Highways' review of central reservation crossings. She also called for long-term safety upgrades to problematic junctions and a change in the funding formula to better reflect the needs of rural communities with lower population densities. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, acknowledged the importance of the A1 and the challenges it faces. Greenwood highlighted the government's commitment to road safety, including the upcoming publication of a new road safety strategy, and the significant investment in the strategic road network through the road investment strategy process. Greenwood recognized the higher-than-average number of collisions, particularly fatal ones, on the A1 and stated that National Highways continues to invest in safety improvements along the route. She expressed her intention to follow up on the specific outcomes of Kearns' recent meeting with National Highways representatives and to consider the potential for new signage to warn drivers of short slip roads. During the debate, Ruth Cadbury, the Member of Parliament for Brentford and Isleworth, intervened to emphasize the importance of addressing driver behavior, in addition to physical road improvements, to improve road safety, particularly in rural areas. Cadbury also encouraged the consideration of active travel, such as walking and cycling, in the government's road safety strategy. Overall, the debate highlighted the pressing need to address the safety concerns on the A1, particularly the stretch that runs through Kearns' constituency, and the government's commitment to improving road safety across the country.