Representation by Amble Town Council (Amble Town Council)
- Date submitted
- 29 October 2020
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
Please see below the objection from Amble Town Council regarding dualling the A1. It has been noted that Highways England have now merged the Morpeth-Felton proposals with the Alnwick-Ellingham proposals into one Development Consent Order. However, the issues outlined in the Councils first objection do not appear to have been addressed and therefore Members would like the following objection lodged. "Please consider where virtually all southbound traffic from not just Amble but also Warkworth, Hadston, Broomhill, Hauxley, Acklington and Widdrington gets access to the A1. It is presently Causey Bridge, the busiest junction between Morpeth and Felton, where the right turn lane often fills completely with traffic waiting to return, regularly threatening to block all A1 northbound traffic. This same junction is being ignored by the proposed new A1, in favour of one at Fenrother, requiring Amble commuters to use 2 miles of old A1 before getting access to the new dual carriageway. The ONLY community that benefits from the junction at Fenrother is the tiny hamlet of Tritlington, whose commuters can still get southbound access via Cockle Park at Highlaws junction. Amble commuters already frustratingly have to give way at both Chevington junctions to less trafficked roads, and the proposed arrangement will just add a third example, more gear changes/pollution and probably no time saved - an appalling return for the millions being spent. Part of the reason for the A1 upgrade is to improve road safety on a stretch of road which has a record of serious and fatal accidents. By making all traffic to the coastal strip use the old A1 there will continue to be serious accidents. When this part of the old road is "detrunked" it is likely the road will not be a priority for gritting and general maintenance thereby increasing risk. Much of the area now relies on tourist trade and amenities where good access is vital to success. The town of Amble and its near neighbours have high local unemployment rates and a good southbound road access would be a major factor in attracting desperately needed employers to this area. A simple relocation of the proposed Fenrother junction 2 miles north at Causey Bridge would dramatically improve all these journey times at minimal cost difference. Alternatively if the Fenrother junction cannot be relocated the plan shows there is to be a new bridge over the A1 near Causey Bridge, this could be upgraded and slip roads to the A1 added to serve the coastal towns and villages"