Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date the new dual carriageway planned for 13 miles of the A1 north of Newcastle will begin construction.

As set out in the Road Investment Strategy (RIS) of December 2014, construction of the A1 dualling schemes between Morpeth and Ellingham is expected to start works in 2019-2020. This will upgrade 13 miles of the existing single carriageway to dual carriageway between Morpeth and Felton and Alnwick and Ellingham creating a continuous, high-quality dual carriageway from Newcastle to Ellingham. This is subject to completion of statutory planning processes and continuing to demonstrate value for money.

The A1 in Northumberland programme will also benefit from a package of smaller scale junction improvements, overtaking lanes and pedestrian improvements north of Ellingham. These are planned to start construction in 2018 and this is also subject to completion of statutory planning processes and continuing to demonstrate value for money.

The latest cost estimate range for the scheme is between £242 million and £344 million with the most likely estimate being £290 million.