A1 to be turned into motorway to London

New plans to transform the A1 into a continuous motorway between Peterborough and London have been welcomed. TheA1Eastof England Strategic Study shows the need for improvements to be made to parts of the 62-mile section to the south of Peterborough.

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson praised the plans and said: “I welcome the Government’s plans to upgradetheA1 asanyinfrastructureimprovementsareasoundinvestment.

“This comes on the back of plans for the A47 and the A14 improvements and new rolling stock for the East Coast Mainline in two years’ time.

“Anythingwhichimproves Peterborough’s connectivity and strengthens its position as a transport hub must be goodforjobsandtheeconomy and therefore for local people and businesses.”

C u r r e n t l y, t h e A 1 M runs from Peterborough to Huntingdon and from Baldock to the M25.

The study also showed improving the road could cut congestion and help reduce the environmental impact of the existing layout, especially for thosewholivemetresaway from the A1

John Bridge, chief executive of Peterborough Cham- ber of Commerce, said:” We have seen schemes like this before that have never got off the ground - we need to make sure we deliver this.

“It would open up growth for the city. We are in the situationwhereweneedkeyskills, and if we don’t have the right commuting experience, we can’t get people involved. It is whycommutingcorridorsare so important.

“That stretch of road can be a real challenge at the moment, and it is important it is upgraded.”

Final reports will be completed in the next six months and will inform the development of the government’s second Road I nvestment Strategy.

Queues at the Alcolnbury junction, where works are set to start.