Roads minister visits major roads investment scheme in Yorkshire
Roads Minister Andrew Jones will visit the A1 Leeming to Barton major scheme today (Thursday, 30 July) to see first-hand how major Government investment is set to improve journeys for people and is boosting the region’s economy.
The £380 million scheme to widen 12 miles of the A1 in North Yorkshire from dual carriageway to motorway, between Leeming and Barton, is the largest Highways England roads project in the country. Once complete in spring 2017, the improvements will provide a missing link of motorway standard road between London and Newcastle, bringing the country closer together.
The project, which began in March 2014, will also provide a major boost for the region’s economy and is estimated to generate 750 jobs in the construction industry over three years.
This scheme is part of the Government’s long term economic plan for the region. Highways England will be delivering over £1.3 billion pounds of major road schemes in the Yorkshire and Humber region over the next 5 years.
Roads Minister, Andrew Jones, said:
Roads are key to our nation’s prosperity. That’s why, as part of our long-term economy plan, we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation.
The £380 million A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade is the largest Highways England roads project in the country and will significantly improve journeys and help create jobs.
Through schemes like these we are building the Northern Powerhouse and creating opportunities for hardworking people across Britain.
As well as replacing the existing dual carriageway with a new three lane motorway the scheme will provide a new grade separated junction at Catterick, an improved junction at Scotch Corner. A new Local Access Road alongside the new motorway will provide an alternative route for local traffic, improving safety for the surrounding communities.
In his Summer Budget of 2015, the Chancellor stated that the government will look into the case for renaming the A1(M) north of Leeds as the M1.
For more information visit the scheme website.
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