A1 safety improvements 'not tackling root cause'

Safety works planned for the A1 have been criticised for "not tackling the root cause" of the issues with the road.

Three months of work was due to take place on the A1 from January, including resurfacing, refreshing road markings, improving signage, and clearing vegetation.

Stretches of the road in Lincolnshire have an "appalling accident rate" and were "massively dangerous", a local councillor said.

National Highways said it was "exploring a number of improvement opportunities" on the A1.

Both lanes of the A1 were brought to a standstill after a lorry crash in March 2024

South Kesteven District Councillor David Bellamy, who represents an area the A1 passes through, said: "It's massively dangerous, even National Highways would admit the road is over capacity."

"This particular section was built during the 1960s, so you've basically got 21st Century traffic on a road made for the 1960s and 70s.

"It's just past its sell-by date," he said.

National Highways confirmed a new safety scheme which would include "improved signage, lining, solar road studs and “SLOW” road markings on red surfacing, at various locations along the A1".

But Councillor Bellamy said those works "won't tackle the root cause."

"My opinion is if it needs a motorway in Yorkshire and it needs a motorway in Cambridgeshire, why doesn't it need a motorway through Lincolnshire? That doesn't make sense," he said.

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton, said more safety improvements are needed on the A1

'Important step forward'

Ian Doust, National Highways Programme Development Manager, said: “We always take safety very seriously and we are currently undertaking studies across the A1 route and exploring a number of improvement opportunities.”

Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, Alicia Kearns, said: "It's enormously welcome news that National Highways will be carrying out further safety improvements on the A1."

"While there is still more to be done, this maintenance work is an important step forward."

A public meeting organised by the MP is being held at South Witham Village Hall at 18:00 GMT on Friday 15 November to discuss the issue.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.