§ 18. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received from the North Northumberland coroner about proposals for a dual carriageway on the A1 in Northumberland.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe coroner has written to my Department to suggest that the A1 between Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed should be improved to dual carriageway standard. This followed an accident at a site which will be bypassed by stage 2 of the Alnwick bypass which is in our main trunk roadbuilding programme for 1982–83.
§ Mr. BeithDoes the Minister realise that this is the second time that the North Northumberland coroner has made representations to his Department on that subject, and that there has been a series of fatal accidents on the A1 between Morpeth and Berwick? Does the Minister realise that the great weakness of the road, on which a lot of money has been spent on ill-advised works, is that it does not provide opportunities for safe overtaking? Will he ensure that the money spent on the A1 is used to make that road safer?
§ Mr. ClarkeThat is our intention. We use the moneys on improvements to eliminate danger spots and to allow proper overtaking opportunities for traffic. The second stage of the Alnwick bypass is important because it is a bad accident spot. The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that the European Commission today announced a fresh programme of payments to this country under supplementary measures proposals which includes express provision for improvements to the A1 north of Newcastle upon Tyne.