After more than a decade of delays, plans to upgrade a dangerous 40km-long stretch of the A1 in North Yorkshire may be decided at a public inquiry. The 325m project, to create a three-lane motorway from Dishforth to Barton, is expected to benefit LGV drivers; work could start in 2008.
Although objections to the proposals are still being received, the Highways Agency (HA) believes the scheme will go before a public inquiry because of the size of the area involved.
An HA spokeswoman says:
"We can't say 100% one way or another. The feeling is that because of the scale of the project, it's highly likely there will be a PI." The upgrade is one of the most ambitious schemes the government has proposed. Original plans were published in the 1990s, but later shelved. The HA's project manager, Alan Duckworth, says: "The A1 is a key north-south strategic route and the improvements will benefit long-distance users of the wider strategic network, as well as local drivers."
christopher.tindall@rbi.co.uk
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