 Mike Parker and Alastair Darling toured the interchange |
Transport Secretary Alastair Darling has refused to commit the government to fully dualling the A1 north of Newcastle. He was questioned about the long-running issue during a visit to Tyne and Wear.
Mr Darling said only short sections of the road would become dual carriageway.
The news is another blow for the recently-revived A1 Safelink campaign, which says full dualling up to Berwick is essential for economic regeneration.
In June 2002, the government revealed plans for a �263m project to turn part of the A1 into a three-lane motorway.
Upgrade plans
This would see 29 miles of the dual carriageway between Bramham and Wetherby, in North Yorkshire, Leeming and Barton, also in North Yorkshire, and Dishforth and Leeming, in West Yorkshire, improved to boost safety and reduce congestion.
But campaigners further north have called for the single-carriageway stretch north of Newcastle to be dualled in an effort to reduce road-related deaths.
However, during a visit to open a new public transport interchange in Gateshead, Mr Darling refused to confirm any upgrade plans for the motorway.
Mr Darling joined Tyne and Wear Metro bosses officially to open the �8.5m facility.
Mr Darling said: "We in government want more people to use Metro and buses, rather than cars and schemes like this, which bring two modes of public transport under one roof, can only help that."
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