Progress report
On Thursday 29 March 2018 we opened the final section of new motorway on the A1 between junction 52 Catterick and Catterick North overbridge. This section of road has now become a three lane motorway and temporary speed restrictions have been lifted. Drivers are now able to benefit from extra capacity and improved road information to help keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Download our scheme brochure to find out more about how this scheme brings local, regional and national benefits.
What's next?
Our focus will now be on completing the works at Scotch Corner interchange and along the local access road. We will also be carrying out minor finishing work, such as landscaping, across the scheme.
Timeline
Date | Event |
---|---|
Autumn/Winter 2015 | New junction 52 Catterick junction open |
Autumn 2015 to November 2017 | A6136 Fort Overbridge replacement |
Autumn/Winter 2015 to March 2018 | Scotch Corner junction improvements |
September 2016 | Leases Lane to junction 52 Catterick. New off line motorway section open |
Autumn 2014 to February 2017 | Scotch Corner to Barton A1 mainline improvements |
Autumn 2014 to March 2018 | Junction 52 to Scotch Corner A1 mainline improvements |
September 2017 | Junction 51 Leeming to junction 52 Catterick open |
February 2018 | Catterick North overbridge to junction 56 Barton open |
March 2018 | Final section of new motorway opens |
Why we need this scheme
The 12 mile section of the A1 between Leeming and Barton carries between 59,000 to 69,000 vehicles per day. It has poor alignment with many side road junctions, farms and field accesses.
The accident rate is broadly in line with the national average for older dual carriageways, but the severity ratio is significantly higher. Incidents often lead to full closure of the route with lengthy diversions.
This is the only section of non-motorway on the strategic M1/A1(M) route between London and Newcastle.
The A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade will replace the existing dual carriageway with a new 3 lane motorway. We will provide a new local access road alongside the new motorway, improving safety for local traffic from the surrounding communities.
Access to the motorway will be via a new grade separated junction at Catterick and an improved junction at Scotch Corner.
Aims
Our main aim is to improve safety and to improve journey time reliability between London and major urban centres in the north of England and Scotland.
Cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians
Coast to coast walk: diversion at Agricola Bridge (adjacent to the River Swale). An alternative route is available on the south side of the river Swale using the A6136 and crossing a temporary bridge over the A1.
The closure order and diversion map can be found on the North Yorkshire County Council website.
Archaeology
Excavations have led to the unearthing of a major Roman settlement at Scotch Corner that pre-dates settlements in York and Carlisle by 15 years. This tells us that the Romans had a major presence and even possibly began their territorial expansion into northern England more than a decade earlier than previously thought.
The archaeological team of around 60 people have been working along the A1 for three years as part of our scheme. During that time archaeologists have uncovered more than 200,000 prehistoric and Roman artefacts and sieved more than 86 tonnes of sediment samples.
Download our archaeology brochure for more information.
Project media files and documents
Lane 2 restriction for large goods vehicles
Tunstall Road proposal - start of work materials - March 2014
Inspectors report for public inquiry
Secretary of State decision letter
Secretary of State decision letter (Leeming to Scotch Corner section) - 23 October 2013
Scheme Plan
Timeline infographic
Archaeology brochure
Scheme completion brochure
Project timeline
Planned roadworks
Roadworks and Events for England
The latest incident information for England's motorway and trunk routes provided by Highways England
Announcements
Breaking News: Traffic Information
Breaking News
The latest current breaking news items for England's motorway network