Road Safety on the A1

In the House of Commons, a minister delivered an impassioned statement regarding the importance of the A1 road, also known as the Great North Road. The minister highlighted the historical significance of this ancient route, which has been traversed by Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and even the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin. The A1 remains a vital link for commerce, freight, and people, with an average of 40,000 vehicles passing along it each day. The minister emphasized the critical role the A1 plays in the nation's transport network, connecting major ports and forming a crucial part of British and international supply chains. However, the minister expressed concern over the worrying proliferation of road accidents along the stretch of the A1 that passes through the constituencies of Rutland, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire. According to the Department for Transport's data, the A1 has seen a significant increase in crashes, with 500 incidents reported in 2022, a 26% rise compared to the A5 and a 16% increase compared to the A2. Over the past five years, there have been 201 closures, the majority of which were due to accidents, resulting in an average of one accident every two weeks. The minister highlighted the specific issues plaguing the dual carriageway between Peterborough and Blyth, which passes through Rutland and Stamford. This section is characterized by substandard central reservation crossings, junctions, and dangerously short slip lanes, leading to frequent incidents where drivers are forced to stop on the slip road. The minister also noted the presence of roads that are little more than dirt tracks joining the A1, the high volume of heavy goods vehicles, and a lack of essential infrastructure such as signs, technology, SOS telephones, variable messaging signs, and CCTV. The minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of addressing these safety concerns and ensuring the A1, a vital artery of the nation's transport network, can continue to serve the communities and businesses that rely on it.