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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Government scraps A1 dualling plan | Government scraps A1 dualling plan |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| The scheme would have provided a continuous stretch of dual carriageway to Ellingham | The scheme would have provided a continuous stretch of dual carriageway to Ellingham |
| The government has announced the scheme to dual the A1 in Northumberland will not go ahead. | The government has announced the scheme to dual the A1 in Northumberland will not go ahead. |
| The previous Conservative administration gave the green light to the project for the stretch between Morpeth and Ellingham in May, having previously postponed it three times. | The previous Conservative administration gave the green light to the project for the stretch between Morpeth and Ellingham in May, having previously postponed it three times. |
| Documents published after the chancellor’s budget address to the House of Commons revealed the Department for Transport had deemed the scheme "unfunded and unaffordable". | Documents published after the chancellor’s budget address to the House of Commons revealed the Department for Transport had deemed the scheme "unfunded and unaffordable". |
| Louis Fell, a land agent for many of the farmers affected, has called the decision "absolutely heartbreaking" for the county. | Louis Fell, a land agent for many of the farmers affected, has called the decision "absolutely heartbreaking" for the county. |
| "So much money has already been spent, on buying properties and land, on surveys and plans," Mr Fell added. | |
| "It just seems criminal not to go ahead." | |
| Louis Fell says many properties, like the farm at Charlton Mires, have already been purchased by National Highways | Louis Fell says many properties, like the farm at Charlton Mires, have already been purchased by National Highways |
| Northumberland County Council Deputy Leader Richard Wearmouth said he was "shocked" at the cancellation and called the decision "incredibly disappointing". | Northumberland County Council Deputy Leader Richard Wearmouth said he was "shocked" at the cancellation and called the decision "incredibly disappointing". |
| He added the Conservative-run council would campaign to get the project "back up and running at the earliest opportunity". | He added the Conservative-run council would campaign to get the project "back up and running at the earliest opportunity". |
| "The project was literally shovel ready," Wearmouth said. | "The project was literally shovel ready," Wearmouth said. |
| "The scheme is of vital importance to our local and regional economy. | "The scheme is of vital importance to our local and regional economy. |
| "It would strengthen the Union in terms of better links to Scotland and it would significantly improve safety for Northumberland residents." | "It would strengthen the Union in terms of better links to Scotland and it would significantly improve safety for Northumberland residents." |
| He said he would contact National Highways to make sure work done so far was not "squandered" . | He said he would contact National Highways to make sure work done so far was not "squandered" . |
| But David Smith, Labour MP for North Northumberland, defended the government's decision to scrap the scheme. | |
| "I'm disappointed that this unfunded and un-costed commitment was promised for so long by the Conservative government, despite them never having either the money nor the intention to deliver the proposed project," he said. | |
| He added he would be meeting with the transport secretary to discuss improving the A1's safety record throughout Northumberland. | |
| Martin Beal says stress over the A1 plans made his late wife Amanda's last months more difficult | Martin Beal says stress over the A1 plans made his late wife Amanda's last months more difficult |
| The A1 dualling scheme was first raised more than 15 years ago and has already cost at least £67m, although construction has not begun. | The A1 dualling scheme was first raised more than 15 years ago and has already cost at least £67m, although construction has not begun. |
| One man whose family farm was bought to make way for the project said he was "disgusted" at the amount of money spent. | One man whose family farm was bought to make way for the project said he was "disgusted" at the amount of money spent. |
| Martin Beal's family had lived at Charlton Mires since 1904, but their home was bought by National Highways. | Martin Beal's family had lived at Charlton Mires since 1904, but their home was bought by National Highways. |
| His wife Amanda has since died of cancer and Mr Beal says the stress over the A1 made her last months more difficult. | His wife Amanda has since died of cancer and Mr Beal says the stress over the A1 made her last months more difficult. |
| The situation has left them in a state of uncertainty as they can not get planning permission to build a new property until their old one is demolished. | The situation has left them in a state of uncertainty as they can not get planning permission to build a new property until their old one is demolished. |
| "The whole thing is just a joke, I don't know what they're going to do with my family home," Mr Beal said. | "The whole thing is just a joke, I don't know what they're going to do with my family home," Mr Beal said. |
| "What an incredible waste of money." | "What an incredible waste of money." |
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