The Government has finally given the go-ahead for the dualling of a 13-mile stretch of the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham in Northumberland, including construction of a new dual carriageway bypassing the existing A1 between Priests Bridge and Burgham Park.

Main contractor Costain has been waiting for the green light on the long-delayed £260m project, originally timetabled to start in the Summer of 2022, reports Construction Enquirer.

DfT had pushed back its decision four times since being handed the planning inspectors report back in October 2021. The original delay was blamed on the need for the Government to give its response to the Sir Peter Hendy Union Connectivity Review.

The project will receive funding reallocated from the scrapped HS2 rail project.

As well as upgrading the route to dual carriageway standard, there will be three new junctions with bridges over the A1.