Comments are invited on the future managment of the trunk road

With a multi-mullion pound scheme to upgrade the A1 to motorway status under way the Highways Agency want local people to help develop a 10-year plan for the management of the route.

The plan is one of a series of Route Management Strategies being prepared by the agency nationally, which aims to make better use of the road network.

Residents affected by traffic using the A1 can now have their say on the future management of the road as the plan aims to make road planning tie in better with regional transport and planning decisions.

Highways Agency project manager Keith Gorst said: "Developing this plan gives us the opportunity to take a detailed look at the purpose, function and performance of the A1 and to assess the actions we may need to take to address problems.

He said the aim of the 10-year plan is to set out how the A1 route can be better managed to improve safety, reliability and help sustain local and regional economies while improving environmental conditions.

And he added: "Local people often know a great deal about local problems and what the solutions might be, so we invite them to take this opportunity to influence the shape and content of this plan.

"Contributions from users of the route and local people will be an essential part of finalising the plan."

The plans are on display at libraries in West Yorkshire close to the A1 route and at the highways Agency website (listed alongside).

The definitive 10-year plan for the road will be published in March 2004.