South Tyneside’s MPs support proposals to upgrade a major North East road
Both MPs think an A1 upgrade would benefit South Tyneside too.
Both of South Tyneside’s MPs have publicly backed the proposal to make more of the A1 dual carriageway, even though the stretch of road is some miles outside their constituencies.
A letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, written by Northumberland North MP David Smith, has also been signed by 12 other North East Labour MPs, including Kate Osbourne and Emma Lewell. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has also signed.
They say that the upgrade of the A1 between Morpeth and Berwick will benefit travellers from around the region who have to use it.
The letter urges the PM, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey to consider the benefits to the economy, businesses, schools and hospitals, as well as citing current safety concerns. In May five people died in two separate incidents on the A1 in Northumberland.
The scheme to upgrade a 13-mile (20km) section of road between Morpeth and Ellingham in Northumberland was cancelled by the Labour government in 2024 due to spiralling costs, after projection suggested it would cost more than £500m.
Ms Alexander later told MPs the project represented “poor value for money”.
But Jarrow MP Ms Osbourne now says: “I’ve added my name to this letter because the North East needs sustained investment in the infrastructure that will drive growth across our whole region.
“Andy Burnham’s Government has made clear its ambition to rebalance our economy, create good jobs and give regions like ours the backing they need to succeed - and improving our transport links has to be part of that.
“I’ll keep working with colleagues across the North East to make the strongest possible case for the investment our region deserves.”
Ms Lewell, who represents South Shields, has not so far made a public comment on the matter since signing the letter, but has confirmed that her name has been added and is supporting the scheme.
Opponents of the scheme say it will lead to more traffic and increased parking problems in small towns.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has this week pressed the Prime Minister on how he will pay for his existing public spending pledges, during their exchanges in the House of Commons.