Safety improvements on A1 in Northumberland

Four sites between Alnwick and Berwick being upgraded

Safety improvements, to about 3.8 miles (6.2kms) of the A1 at four locations in Northumberland, are being carried out between mid February and mid March - the four locations are West Linkhall bend, Adderstone/Pillars junction, East Ord roundabout and Highfields Roundabout.

The work, which will see improvements to signing and lining, is due to be completed by 19 March and is part of the Highways Agency's on-going work to improve safety on these stretches of the road.

John Sheerin, route performance manager for the Highways Agency said:

"This work will help improve the safety of this part of the network. In the last five years there have been 146 accidents on these sections of the A1 resulting in six fatal, 33 serious and 212 slight injuries.

"To limit any delays, the work at West Linkhall and Adderstone/Pillars will be carried out over night between 7pm and 6am each day while the works at the two roundabouts - East Ord and Highfields - will run through the day at off peak times between 9.30am and 3pm.

"We advise road users to drive safely through the roadworks and to allow extra time for their journeys."

When the works are in place there will be various traffic restrictions on the four sections:

West Linkhall Bend - 40 mph speed restriction with temporary two-way traffic signals, 10mph speed restriction with temporary two way traffic signals and convoying.

Adderstone/Pillars Junctions - 10mph speed restriction with temporary two-way traffic signals and convoying.

East Ord Roundabout - 40mph speed restriction with inner ring closure on roundabout. Lane two of the southbound climbing lane, to the south of East Ord roundabout will be closed to prevent overtaking in a northbound direction towards the roundabout.

Highfields Roundabout - 40mph/50mph speed restriction with inner ring closure on roundabout.

In addition to this, there will be layby closures at various locations throughout the scheme length, an overtaking ban and 2.7m width restriction throughout the scheme length.

Notes to Editors

1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is now available:

* From our new Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk. To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".

* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.

* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).

3. The work, costing £250,000, will be carried out by A-one Integrated Highway Services

4. This section of the A1an average of 11,361 vehicles per day, with about 12% being heavy good vehicles (2006 figures)

5. Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.

6. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)

Safe driving at roadworks
During 2006 two workers were killed and 19 seriously injured in the course of their work on Highways Agency roads.

For the safety of all road users and roadworkers, when you are approaching roadworks:

* Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
* Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching.
* Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
* Be alert for works' traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
* Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.
* Observe all signs - they are there to help you.

Highways Agency by GNN North East

Source - Press Association Ltd

To contact one of our specialist lawyers please call 0800 61 66 81, or use the contact details at the top left of this page.