'If it was south it would be done' as Labour slammed for cancelling A1 dualling

Chronicle Live readers have been sharing their dismay in our comments section after the announcement Labour has axed the long-discussed plans to dual the A1 in Northumberland, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget announcement on Wednesday confirming that the Government will not proceed with the proposal. The scheme, which aimed to upgrade a 13-mile stretch of single carriageway between Morpeth and Ellingham, was deemed "unfunded and unaffordable" by the Department for Transport following the Chancellor's speech.

Despite being a topic of debate since the 1990s, the dualling project has never materialised. The previous Conservative Government had repeatedly postponed a decision on the project before pledging to carry it out just before July’s general election.

Labour's position on the project was uncertain during a review of "unfunded" spending projects inherited from the Tories, but it is now clear that the dualling plan has been scrapped. Guy Renner-Thompson, a Tory councillor in Northumberland and the party's former North East mayoral candidate, branded the decision "shameful".

One of our readers, Bigyin believes: "If it was down south it would be affordable. HS2 springs to mind."

Eeeasy adds: "My first Labour MP in the 52 years I've been in Northumberland. I have been listening to dual the A1 promises almost all my life, what a let down what a lot of lies, make Reeves Starmer Louise Haigh and that Kim McGuinness request a drive from Newcastle to Berwick and return with a Police advanced driver in an unmarked police car then be invited to drive the same route again themselves as a television feature. Should be good viewing. If the so called government is not going to make the A1 safe why not ban tractors (and the trailers that have no rear lights indicators number plates whatsoever) from using it after all tractors are not allowed on motorways, the safest roads in our declining country."

Dogsnuts asks: "Did anyone ever think this was going to happen to our little back water that is north of the M25? Give your head a shake and wake up we are just burden to the uk these days, mining gone, ship building gone."

Grandad3 thinks: "Sad but inevitable. The road isn't busy enough often enough to warrant the investment. Having said that, if it was dualled, who knows what the benefits could or would be."

Tekka comments: "A budget that increases inheritance tax, capitals gains tax and FINALLY introduces VAT on private schools, in addition to increasing the minimum wage and increasing spending on the NHS and Education. All this despite 14 years of the country being wrecked by Boris, Liz and co and people are complaining about a stretch of road not being widened (which also didn't happen in the 14 long hard years)? Wow."

Roppa123 says: "Pleased with this decision. The more we make access to Northumberland easy, the more likely it is to be ruined by property developers and selfish car drivers."

Jetx adds: "Disappointing. Blair promised to dual it, then reneged. Tories promised the same, then reneged. The north east - the real north east - has been left behind too long. People must vote in alternatives to Labour. For goodness sake - when will we Geordies wake up and weigh things up - and then act differently."

JohnHenderson mentions: "As things stand financially dualling the last sections of the A1 at this point of time is unaffordable. Governments of both persuasions have promised to do it only to later renege, but at least this one has come out and told you straight - it is unaffordable at this time. So, if you want to vote in an alternative to Labour, who would it be ? Not the lying Tories surely, the Lib-Dems maybe - they'll promise anything knowing full well they won't have to carry it out, or maybe Farage and his pals? Having said all that it is indeed a crying shame that the only part of the M1/A1M/A1 from London to the Scottish border is here in Northumberland - the forgotten land of all parties."

KenHandley queries: "So, no money for this much needed duelling, and nothing for the Metro or Leamside rail. The only investment I've witnessed has come from the Tories with the new metro fleet and the Ashington rail line; yet Labour still dominates the North East. To anyone who voted Labour recently, don't you dare complain, because you've got what you deserved. Every Labour MP in the North East and our new mayor- I ask you this. What have you done for our region? How much did you fight for the investment? You should all hang your heads in shame."

Ims2912 adds: "It's a pity, but they're probably right. Plus, at least they've come out and faced the harsh reality, unlike previous administrations (including Labour ones) that have continued to tantalisingly dangle the proverbial carrot."

Motoren says: "It was never going to be approved, if you listened to her budget speech it was massive investment in transport options for Manchester and the midlands, she only mentioned the North East three times, once for EV manufacturing, another lump to Nissan no doubt, film studio investment for Sunderland and a school repair in Middlesbrough."

So how do you feel about the A1's dualling cancellation? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.

Join our WhatsApp communities

ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.

We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community

Join our Court & Crime community

Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community

Join our Northumberland community

Join our County Durham community

Join our Sunderland community

Join our NUFC community

Join our SAFC community

Join our Great North Run community