As a ex local visiting the church, I found the signage directing me from Catterick village back to the A1 south confusingly POOR.

Why on earth can’t you update the closure notices. Last night (22 February) coming from Darlington and trying to get home to Swaledale there were 2 signs that said the Scotch Corner exit would be closed on 15/16 February (way out of date), yet nothing which gave notice that it would be closed on that night. Coming home at midnight in the rain it wasn’t at all clear what the diversion was and several cars ended up in the middle of the roadworks totally unsure where to go. It was possible to come off at Scotch Corner but since you couldn’t turn right onto either the A66 or the Richmond Road you simply had to get back on the Al and hope you could get off further south.

Hi. On the A1 upgrades there is now a significant 6-8 Mile stretch where the works appear to be complete south of Catterick. Will this be opening up prior to completion of the work around scotch corner and catterick. There seems no reason to hold it back and keep the 50mph restrictions.

Will it be possible to get onto the A66 westbound at Scotch Corner this coming Friday evening?

I will be travelling from Penrith on the A66 this Friday 17th March arriving at Scotch Corner at approx. 11.30am, will I be able to get onto the A1M Southbound?

Good morning Mr Crawford,

Please could you give more details of your route to work for us to provide an appropriate response?

We do provide a weekly e-mail update of upcoming closure dates and roadwork’s, to receive this please send an e-mail to a1leemingtobarton@highwaysengland.co.uk

Kind regards

Good afternoon Sandra,

Thank you for your query. The Catterick South Bridge was subjected to overnight closures during the weekend to allow for the preparation of a link from Leeming Lane to the new Tunstall Bridge. A similar closure will be required this weekend, as we will be undertaking the demolition works. Our works are being undertaken over two weekends, to ensure that there is less disruption to the public.

We do send out a weekly e-mail update of upcoming closures and roadworks, to receive this please send an e-mail to a1leemingtobarton@highwaysengland.co.uk

Please be aware that the our scheme inbox and this DISQUS message board are only monitored during office hours Monday to Friday. Journey planning information is available 24 hours a day at http://www.trafficengland.com or by phoning our customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Kind regards

How do you get from catterick garrison to catterick village now?

Hi a1 looks great are they any planned road closures for the 26th may as be travelling to scotland on the Saturday 27th and want to leave at scotch corner A66 around 6 oclock for my breakfast bap be there abouts many thanks john

Good afternoon Audrey,

Our team are working to make sure that the A6108 Richmond Road is maintained as a route between Scotch Corner and Richmond. Managing live traffic through this area, as well as the requirement for access to businesses means that a longer phase is needed for construction. Some complex phasing of works is required to allow us to maintain access and it is expected that works will be completed in this area towards the end of the project.

Kind regards

Hi,

On the Highways England page above it says the A6136 Fort Bridge was going to be closed for replacement from Autumn 2015 to winter 2016/2017. Well, it’s now Spring 2017 and Fort Bridge is still closed. Have you a date when it will reopen please? Why has it been delayed?

Also, when is the local access road between Catterick North Overbridge and the Travelodge/Little Chef going to open?

Many thanks

Hi are there any northbound closures tonight on the A1 thanks

Morning Lindsay,

There is a closure between junction 56 Barton and Scotch Corner with a partial closure of Scotch Corner roundabout but nothing south of Scotch Corner on the mainline. This page is not monitored 24/7 and so for future journey planning information please visit http://www.trafficengland.co.uk where the latest information can be found.

All of our diversion signs are installed to national standards and are regularly checked to ensure the signs remain in place and give the correct information. However, if you feel there are areas that require attention please let me know and I will ask our team to review this.

Afternoon Rob,

We made an announcement on Friday that the project would now be completed at the end of this year. We didn’t announce a delay of 6 months or that scheme would continue into 2018. The announcement was made via the media and issued to MPs as well as local Councillors. We are also currently updating this website to reflect the change. The delays are as a result of both archaeological finds discovered along the route which will prove historically significant for future generations and power cables and utilities in the area. These combined factors mean that the scheme will now be completed by the end of the year. However, we do expect to open the southern section of the scheme, between Leeming and Catterick Central, in late summer which both releases the benefit to the road user and reduces the length of the remaining roadworks.

Dear Michael,

Our team are proactively looking to reduce the number of overnight closures that are required on the A1 Leeming to Barton Improvement Scheme. Many of our operations cannot be completed whilst there is traffic still on the A1 and diversions are used for both the safety of the public and our own workforce.

The diversion routes that we use have been implemented following consultation with strategic stakeholders, including local highways authorities and traffic police. We use the A168, A19 and the A689 for through traffic as this route avoids any impact on local communities and also keeps traffic on similar standard roads.

Whilst we are unable to prevent traffic using other public roads, suitable diversion routes have been provided that also keep journey times to a minimum. We would always encourage all motorists to follow the signed diversion route as we know that these routes are suitable for use and reduce disruption to local communities however, any drivers using other local routes do so at their own discretion and would be accountable for their own safety, as well as that of other members of the public.

Our remaining works on the local access road between Leeming and Catterick Village include final surfacing, sign installation and verge works. We will only open this local access road, when it has been completed and an independent road safety audit has been carried out.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Mr Bounds,

I’m sorry to hear that you had a frustrating journey. We have recently made a lot of changes to the road layout in this area including the demolition of the old bridge over the A1. So that we can try and understand what went wrong it would be helpful to know what date you travelled? We did have some long weekend closures whilst we undertook this demolition and it might be that you travelled on one of these weekends.

If you can recall the date and would like us to look into it further please feel free to contact us at a1leemingtobarton@highwaysengland.co.uk.

Many thanks

Good morning, thank you for getting in touch.

Currently, our focus on the local access road is to complete all outstanding works, particularly in the areas just to the south of Marne Barracks. It will
then be necessary to ensure all remedial works are complete and independent safety audits are carried out, prior to handing the road over to the local
highway authority and opening to the public.

Our aim is to complete this process, allowing for traffic to use this section of the local access road during late Spring / early Summer.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Joanne,

Thanks for getting in touch.

We do appreciate the traffic issues in the village and the local access road is a high priority, we are working hard to complete the section from Leeming to
Catterick Central by the end of the summer.

Kind Regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Hello,
I use this section of A1/A1(M) regularly between J59 & J17 (Ferryhill to Peterborough), and last time I looked at the notice boards in the area saying “opening Spring 2017”, yet the works don’t anywhere near opening this spring

Hi. We are planning a journey from Northampton, up the A1 to A66 junction tomorrow, (Wednesday) evening. Will the A1 be closed after 9:00m?

Thanks
Amanda

Hi I am travelling to Scotland from the south on the A1 on Friday night, 26 May via the A66. Will the A1 northbound or A66 westbound be closed at any point?
Thanks, Ali

Hi there,

I notice that there are now signs up at Barton (J56) sating that the southbound entry slip road at Barton will be closed for 6 weeks from Sunday 11th June 2017 (presumably for its reconstruction?).

Are you aware that on that day the BTCC Touring Car races are being held at Croft Circuit with what is expected to be a very large crowd (as is usual for this meeting). J56 Barton is the quickest and easiest way to get to and from Croft and the A1 (other than either driving through Middleton Tyas Village or going a long way round via Darlington or Northallerton).

Would it therefore be possible to postpone this slip road closure until at least the late evening of Sunday 11th June?

Many thanks.
Peter

Will i be able to get from leeming bar to catterick village next Wednesday, Thursday and friday at about 4:45am? Thank you

Hi, I’m again traveling south from Bishop Auckland County Durham and again it looks like I’m hemmed into the North East by multiple south bound works on both A1 and the A168. What route do you suggest I take if I want to leave Bishop Auckland County Durham at 5am on Tuesday 1st August to get to Northampton ( 3 to 4 hour trip) by 8.30 – 9am?

Dear Veronica

Thank you for getting in touch and I’m sorry to hear about your frustrations at the traffic going through Great Smeaton.

Over the course of the scheme, our team have been in contact with the chairman of Great Smeaton Parish Council and other residents in the area regarding the same issue as we are aware that the village has had difficulties with the level of traffic using the A167.
The A167 is not a diversion route that we use when we close the A1. Our approved diversion routes always aim to keep motorway traffic on the motorway network in the first instance as the routes need to be suitable for the type and volume of traffic we expect to use the motorway. Our approved southbound diversion route, which was agreed with the police and the local highway authority in advance of the scheme starting, takes traffic from the A1 at junction 60 to use the A689 and the A19 before then re-joining the A1 at Junction 49. For northbound traffic, the reverse of this route is used. Traffic approaching from Darlington via the A66/A66(M) is taken north to junction 60 to follow the same route.

Unfortunately, we are aware that some drivers seek to find alternative routes that they perceive to be more direct or convenient than our signed diversion routes using either their local knowledge or by following satellite navigation systems. We have been working with the local highway authority and the police over the last 18+ months to try and reduce rat-running in an effort to reduce disruption to the local communities. Unfortunately, in this instance the A167 is a major local road which provides a direct service route between the two centres of Darlington and Northallerton and the rural community and as a consequence, we have been unable to impose any restrictions on its use.

We have reviewed the signage that is installed to ensure that the diversion routes are as clear as possible and strengthened this where necessary by providing additional signs. We have also engaged with the Freight Transport Association and local hauliers to try and encourage professional drivers to stay on the signed diversion. We have also ensured that we rigorously challenge the programme of overnight closures to ensure that when the A1 is the closed the work that we carry out in this shift is maximised to reduce the number of closures needed overall and we can assure you that we will continue to do this.

If you have any further queries or aspects that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Susanna,

Thank you for getting in touch with the scheme.

We have been mindful since the start of the scheme the Scotch Corner junction can become congested which can cause problems within the service area and those connecting onto various different routes. We have been heavily constrained by the requirement to maintain a connection from the A1 on to the A66. During the daytime, we have also needed to maintain a route around the roundabout for abnormal traffic, restricting access for our equipment and also resulting in the fact that we cannot achieve a safe working distance from live traffic. Works are progressing, however, this can appear to be slow as we need to maintain these traffic links and means that we are unable to work 24/7 on this junction.

We would like to thank you for your feedback and we apologise for the delays you experienced when passing through the scheme. We offer our reassurances that we continue to review the customer experience of the Scotch Corner Junction.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Michael,

We would like to thank you for taking the time to contact the scheme and raising your comments on the current arrangements that are in place on this section of the A1. We are sorry to hear of the frustrations that you have had, particularly as we are working to undertake improvements to this part of the road network

We instruct our traffic management team to conduct regular drive through to check the diversion route is clear and signage is in place and conduct follow on actions after receiving customer feedback.

As highlighted in the ‘Featured Comment’ section of this page and at the top we provide a link to Traffic England to provide journey planning information and any relevant roadworks or closures for the next seven days appear in the ‘Planned Roadworks’ section.

We also provide a weekly e-mail update providing details of closures and diversions, if you would like to be added to the mailing list please send an e-mail to a1leemingtobarton@highwaysengland.co.uk.

Again we apologise for the disruption you have received and thank you for your feedback.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Alan,

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with the scheme.

We do understand that a lot of patience is still being shown as our works are continuing. The support and comments we receive, particularly by members of the local community and also those who use the A1 every day are appreciated. Undertaking a scheme such as this does take a lot of planning but we hope that as we start to open finished sections, such as the recently opened local access road, people will soon start to see the benefits of all that has been achieved.

At present, we still have 50-mph speed limits in place as there is a requirement for works access directly off the A1 itself. At the same time, we also have some outstanding works, which include testing and completion of the gantry signs, emergency telephone systems and we also have some temporary slip roads to reinstate around the Catterick area. We also need to ensure that the local access road can be used by non-motorway traffic before we can start decommissioning the speed cameras, removing temporary barriers and open to national speed limit. Many of the lanes do look operation, though our works are not quite yet complete.

For clarity, works were programmed to be completed by the end of the Spring, though we did have some pressure on the scheme from archaeology and utility diversions. It meant that a formal announcement had to be made that the scheme opening dates would be moved back to the winter. We’re aiming to open the southern parts of the scheme though towards the end of the summer.

One of our biggest constraints on a project such as this, is managing live traffic and the routes through and around our activities. We do aim to keep traffic moving as safely and as easily as possible through our works as possible.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Are the speed cameras between Barton anglian Leeming average speed cameras or just speed cameras?

Dear Paul,

Thank you taking the time to get in contact with the scheme.

We are currently undergoing preparations to complete the section between Leeming and Catterick. Once we have a confirmed date we will issue a press release and post the update on our webpage.

We have also developed a weekly e-mail bulletin to provide regular updates on the scheme with regards to road closures, diversions and news of progress. If you would like to be added to the distribution list please let us know and we will send that out to you from the next bulletin onwards.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Steve,

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with the scheme.

We are currently undergoing preparations to complete the section between Leeming and Catterick. Once we have a confirmed date we will issue a press release and post the update on our webpage.

We have also developed a weekly e-mail bulletin to provide regular updates on the scheme with regards to road closures, diversions and news of progress. If you would like to be added to the distribution list please let us know and we will send that out to you from the next bulletin onwards.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Dave,

Thank you for taking the team to get in contact with the A1 Leeming to Barton Improvement Scheme.

I’d like to apologise and understand your frustrations and advise that we are currently undergoing preparations to complete the section between Leeming and Catterick and once the date is confirmed we will issue a press release and also post the update on our webpage.

We would like to thank you for your feedback and if you would like to discuss any aspects of our works further, please contact our Public Liaison Team on 01677 932 348 or via enquiries@a1l2b.com.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Scheme

Dear Mr Headley-North

Our current expectation is that Fort Bridge will re-open to the public in the Autumn period, though there has been some delay in this area. Some good progress is now being made.

When we started the demolition in November 2015, we had expected that it would take 18-months before works were completed on the new bridge. Our works have been affected by archaeology underneath the old Catterick Road, which we had believed would have been previously disturbed. As Fort Bridge is in a scheduled monument site, we had to manage this with some care to protect the heritage of the area.

Some further challenges were encountered in an area slightly to the north of Fort Bridge where we have been soil nailing. Our team have been working hard to ensure that the design and remedial works don’t affect our overall completion dates and works are now well underway.

We have started removing the temporary speed cameras between Leeming and Catterick, as we need to do this before fully opening this part of the route as a motorway. We will announce the opening date via a press release to the public as well as publishing it on our scheme webpage over the coming weeks.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Ben,

Thank you for your query regarding the re-opening of the Fort Bridge. We are aware of the importance that this route has on local traffic and also the impact that our continued works are having on the local community.

When the initial demolition works took place in November 2015, our team had planned for an 18-month period for reconstruction works to take place. Since then, some additional archaeology was identified underneath the old Catterick Road, and in an area, which we anticipated would have been disturbed by the original road construction works. As the works to Fort Bridge are in a scheduled monument site this has affected the programme. Fort bridge will be open to pedestrians and cyclists early October and open to traffic by mid-November.

We do appreciate that the time taken to complete our works at Fort Bridge is a cause of frustration, particularly as this does provide an important route across the A1. However, we are grateful for all the patience and support that is being shown to date.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk .

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Mr Wilson,

Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding the operation of the traffic lights at Scotch Corner Junction.

Our team are aware that the phasing of the traffic lights and our current temporary traffic management does mean that it can take time some for traffic to filter around the junction. The timing of the lights has been investigated on a number of occasions by our signals designer to ensure optimum times are allowed for all users approaching the junction.

Our priorities are always to ensure that traffic continues moving around the junction and to minimise queues where we can. We do try to balance the operation of all the arms but this is not always possible and safety reasons, such as preventing queuing on the A1, may dictate timings in certain respects.

The current phasing of the lights does allow for the maximum possible time for traffic from Richmond under the current configuration. We are trying to balance this with the heavy volumes of traffic that uses Scotch Corner interchange. Our works on the A6108 will be continuing until October and at that point the improved approach will be more able to accommodate the volumes of traffic using this route. Shortly after this, we should be able to release more capacity on Scotch Corner interchange itself.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk . As you have been dissatisfied on this occasion, we have handled your correspondence in accordance with the first stage of Highways England’s complaints process. For further details please see here.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Janet

We would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us, with respect to the on-going works that are being carried out on the A1 Leeming to Barton Scheme.

Some considerable time and effort has been spent trying to reduce the impact of our works. Our first approach is always to look to undertake works in such a way that we can keep routes open to the public, though this is not always safe or possible.

On those occasions when we do need to implement road closures, our diversion routes are always subject to agreement from the local highway authority. Consultation also takes place with specific stakeholders such as the police and emergency services, who have an active interest in the use of the road network. If improvements are identified, these will be implemented as part of our works.

Often, our team will meet with the local parish councils to ensure that community needs are identified and managed accordingly. If there are issues that require particular attention, these will be addressed. A weekly traffic management cascade is also used to keep the local community updated on forthcoming works. We would be happy to include you in the circulation list, if it would be of benefit to you.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk . As you have been dissatisfied on this occasion, we have handled your correspondence in accordance with the first stage of Highways England’s complaints process. For further details please see here https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/highways-england/about/complaints-procedure .

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Mr Walker

Thank you for taking the time to get in contact with us regarding the works on-going at the A1 Leeming to Barton Scheme.

We are writing to apologise for any confusion that may have been caused as a result of the traffic management that was in place on the evening of 19th September 2017.

On that evening, we had closed off the northbound A1 between Junction 51 (Leeming) and Catterick. An appropriate signed diversion route was in place, taking traffic via the new local access road. This is a short route, which runs parallel with the A1 over a similar distance and avoids the need for a diversion via the A19. At Scotch Corner and also at Barton, we had also implemented closures of the A1 taking traffic via the exit and entry slip roads around both these junctions.

Appropriate signage was in place for these diversions. We can also confirm that our scheme does notify the Regional Control Centre of our closures on a daily basis, allowing them the opportunity for updating gantry message boards and matrix signs. When the diversions are over a shorter distance, such as these routes, it is felt that localised signage of our diversion routes is more appropriate.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk . As you have been dissatisfied on this occasion, we have handled your correspondence in accordance with the first stage of Highways England’s complaints process. For further details please see here https://www.gov.uk/governme… .

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Mr Gaylor,

Thank you for your enquiry relating to the on-going works on Kneeton Lane.

On Friday 8th September, a closure of Kneeton Lane was implemented to allow us to undertake works at the northern end of the lane, where the road meets Silver Street. At that stage, it was expected that a closure would be required for a period of two weeks, allowing for the current phase of works to be completed. Our current programme has been affected by weather conditions, though we are opening Kneeton Lane for public use on the morning of Saturday 30th September.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk .

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Mr Gaylor

Before construction began on the A1 Leeming to Barton Scheme, independent safety reviews were undertaken of the scheme design. Further independent safety reviews are also undertaken on the completion of all works. If any comments or observations are made, these are implemented to ensure the safety of all road users.

At the original public inquiry held for the Dishforth to Barton scheme, one of the recommendations that was made was that consideration be given to the provision of a local access road between Scotch Corner and Barton. The local access road accommodates non-motorway traffic, such as agricultural vehicles, pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists, that would need an alternative route.

It would not have been possible to construct this local access road on the east side of the A1, due to the impact it would have on Scotch Corner Services and also the residential properties in Middleton Tyas. Our only option was to provide a roundabout to the north of Scotch Corner, accommodating 2-way traffic using the local access road, traffic into the weighbridge and also the slip road on to the new A1(M). The proposals for the A1(M), which included the provision of a roundabout in this area were approved as part of the Public Inquiry for the section of the scheme between Scotch Corner and Barton held in 2014.

Our scheme is also being constructed in accordance with national guidance and standards laid out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. A new roundabout has been provided to accommodate traffic north on the A1(M), as well as the local access road between Scotch Corner and Barton and the adjacent weighbridge.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk . As you have been dissatisfied on this occasion, we have handled your correspondence in accordance with the first stage of Highways England’s complaints process. For further details please see here.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Julie

Thank you for making contact with us regarding the traffic lights on the A6108. We are sorry to hear of the disruption to your journey, we would advise that additional time is allowed for passing through our road works during this period.

On Monday 2nd October, we started our next phase of works at Scotch Corner and this will involve surfacing works on the roundabout itself. The surfacing works will require some complex traffic management, and we have had to open the local access road between Brompton-on-Swale and Scotch Corner to facilitate the works. Our team need to use the local access road as one of our diversion routes for traffic as it is not safe to leave the temporary northbound slip road open to the public at the same time.

Our current arrangement means that traffic travelling north from Brompton-on-Swale and surrounding villages now needs to travel via Scotch Corner Junction and the A6108 Richmond Road to reach the northbound A1. As there has been this change to the traffic situation, we will ensure that a full review of the phasing of the lights is undertaken. If any improvements can be made without affecting the safety of the road user, we will implement these. We would however, advise that additional time is allowed for any journeys through this area.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk . As you have been dissatisfied on this occasion, we have handled your correspondence in accordance with the first stage of Highways England’s complaints process. For further details please see here.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Perhaps those who complain about the delays should be reminded of CHEOPS’ LAW

“No Major Construction project will ever be completed on schedule or within budget”

Afternoon Pauline,

Sorry we didn’t get to your query in time. We don’t monitor this page 24/7. If you need journey planning advice you can visit http://www.trafficengland.co.uk or if you prefer, you can phone us 24/7 on 0300 123 5000.

Kind Regards

A1 Leeming to Barton team

Hi Stuart,

The 30mph remains in force whilst there is snagging work to be completed on the local access road. We would ask all motorists to respect the speed limit for the safety of our workforce.

We are carrying out the final elements of snagging and will be in a position to remove most of the speed restriction in the coming weeks.

Dear Neil

Thank you for getting in touch with the A1 Leeming to Barton scheme.

Currently, we are working with North Yorkshire County Council to ensure that many of the outstanding works are completed and that sections of the road can be handed over to the local highway authority. This will be an on-going process, until completion of the scheme though over this past weekend, we have opened a section of the local access road to national speed limits between Leases Grange (north of the site offices) and Low Street (Kirkby Fleetham Junction).

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Sir

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with the scheme.

On the approach towards the new Fort bridge, we have a step in road levels as we have not yet completed the permanent surfacing works.

Whilst this area is safe for driving, we would advise that cyclists approach with caution. As works in this area are not due for completion until the new year, we will maintain the appropriate warning signs to advise that there is a ramp in the road surface.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk . As you have been dissatisfied on this occasion, we have handled your correspondence in accordance with the first stage of Highways England’s complaints process. For further details please see here https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/highways-england/about/complaints-procedure

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Michael,

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with the scheme regarding the opening.

As soon as firm dates on specific sections are available they will be updated both on our website and via a press release.

Kind regards

Chris Ward

Dear Mr Noel-Johnson,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the road signs.

We are currently looking into this matter and will provide an update for you as soon as one is available.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Neil

We would thank you for your query dated Friday 22nd December 2017. It is our understanding that you had raised this same query directly with our public liaison officer, who was able to confirm that a new roundabout is to be constructed at the northern end of Gatherley Road, adjacent to A1 Boarding Kennels.

Kind Regards,

A1 Leeming to Barton team

Dear Sir,

We are writing to thank you for your DISQUS query dated 4th January 2018, relating to the opening of the A1 Leeming to Barton Scheme. We also are grateful for the e-mail received on 8th January, relating to the publication of your query on this page.

It should be noted that once a comment has been added to DISQUS, it is not automatically published, as we do need to moderate these. Moderating queries ensures that any comments that may cause offense can be removed or edited, if required. Whilst this has not been the case with your queries, there has been some delay in publishing your queries due to the Christmas / New Year period.

Our team would like to apologise for the continued delay in opening this new section of motorway to traffic. We are looking to bring this project to a close by the end of March 2018 and this has been explained on our webpage.

It may be useful to explain that following the opening of the southern section of the scheme between Junction 51 (Leeming) and Catterick in September 2017, we issued a press release explaining the reasons for the delay to the original programme. We were able to explain the impact of archaeology and third party utilities and that our aim was to complete works over the winter period, with activities continuing into early 2018.

Works around the Catterick / Brompton-on-Swale area have been subject to unexpected ground conditions and some complex geotechnical solutions have been applied to complete the embankment stabilisation to the south of the river Swale.

On the sections further north towards Scotch Corner, some rescheduling of work has been required due to spells of prolonged severe weather and also a major fuel spill that caused damage to the road surface and meant sections of safety barrier needed to be reconstructed. It should be noted that these areas, should still be completed within the given timescales for the scheme, with works coming to an end by March 2018.

Kind Regards,

A1 Leeming to Barton team

Dear Sir,

We would like to thank you for your further query relating to the works around Fort Bridge and on the section leading up to the A6136, Catterick Road. At this point there is an uneven transition between the old and new sections of carriageway, as we have not yet completed the surfacing of the road.

A week of further night time closures will be needed to allow us to complete the surfacing and footpaths in this area in a safe manner. These works will be undertaken in January 2018 and will ensure that there is a smooth transition between the old and new sections of road. We will arrange for an inspection of the area to be carried out to ensure that it remains safe until the permanent surfacing works are completed.

Kind Regards,

A1 Leeming to Barton team

Dear Judith,

Our team do appreciate the significance of the Scotch Corner Junction. We have applied resources to ensure that works continue to progress, though the area is one of the most logistically challenging parts of the scheme for a number of reasons.

Over the course of the project, we have been heavily constrained by the requirement to maintain a connection from the A1 on to the A66. The interface with live traffic is one of the biggest safety risks when undertaking this scheme and requires careful planning. During the daytime, we need to maintain a route around the roundabout for abnormal traffic, this restricts access for plant and means that we cannot achieve a safe working distance from live traffic. This means that much of the work at Scotch Corner is completed overnight when traffic can be diverted.

One of our other big risks here is working around live services, such as gas, BT, electric and other third party supplies. At Scotch Corner, we have encountered a number of unchartered services, the extent of which has been greater than we had anticipated. It has taken time to deal with these services, whilst ensuring the safety of our workforce.

All these works needed to be completed before surfacing of the junction could commence, which we were able to complete prior to Christmas. Works were affected as a result of weather and this meant that progress on the junction has been slower than we would have anticipated. We can confirm though that these works are now complete and our focus will now be on completion of white lining, sign installation, verge works and footpath works as well as the installation of the permanent traffic signals.

Currently, there are signals in place that are mounted on a temporary basis. On completion motion sensors will be installed in the road surface to detect traffic and feed into the controllers for the permanent lights that are yet to be installed. The sensors will detect whether there is traffic on the approaches on to the junction and will prevent lights being on green for prolonged periods of time, when there is no queuing traffic.

Kind Regards,

A1 Leeming to Barton team

Dear Sir,
I have also had a number of comments deleted or removed from this website like the previous person and for this reason I feel I have had no alternative but to write a full and factual complaint letter which will include the way this discussion group is operated and all the other failures of this project in general. The letter will be circulated to the Highways England senior managements team, the secretary for transport (Chris Grayling) and the local press.
The other issues I will be raising are :-
1.The number of delays that are now forming a continual process.
2. The fact local residents, commuters and tax payers are continually ignored or fobbed off like the previous comments made on this board.
3. To raise a specific point when in September the southern section was opened this website published that all but a very small section around Brompton on Swale would be opened before the end of the year. We are advised now that this website did not advise that but winter 2017 early 2018., however I have printed proof on what was advised.
4.The website still advises that the Scotch Corner to Barton Mainline and the Scotch Corner local works should be complete by end of 17 which is not the case.
5. The lack of works being undertaken in the last 12-18 months is beyond belief for a project of this size and for it to carry on or not carry on should I put it even when the resource issue was raised by local residents.
6. The lack of resource and amount of works being undertaken has continually been raised on this website and a meeting as even been requested so the reason for the continuing delays can be explained in more detail.
7. This website operates on comments of a positive or inert nature are added immediately however comments of a negative nature are either not added at all or are added in 10-12 days so the appear lower down the discussion.

Dear Chris

Thank you for your comment.

Over the Christmas and new year period, Highways England do all that we can to make journeys as smooth as possible. Part of this includes an embargo on traffic management and road closures over the bank holiday periods.

During this time there can often be reduced availability of staff, resources and materials from the supply chain, who assist with the delivery of major schemes such as the A1 Leeming to Barton.

Whilst these factors led to the decision that we would close the site for a period of two working weeks, we still anticipate that all required works will be completed by the end of March, allowing for opening to motorway standard. These dates are in accordance with the information provided on our webpage.

If you require any further information please contact us or visit the Highways England website at http://www.highways.gov.uk .

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Dear Jack,

Thanks for your query. Morgan Sindall, who are the other main contractor involved in the joint venture to deliver the A1 Leeming to Barton scheme, have assured us that they have robust contingency plans in place. In the case of joint ventures, in the event of one party not being able to fulfil their commitments, there is a guarantee that the other company or companies jointly involved in the bids will step in and ensure the successful delivery of the work.

Can you let me know what happens where the A road running north from Catterick meets the new A1(M)? It looks like a junction, but between 52 (Catterick) and 53 (Scotch Corner)? I have attached an extract from OS Open Data highlighting it. Thank you! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cd53f9a27482c770f78014fcdf52217c32e5a462eb167a7246452b53f43fb7af.png

Dear Sir

We have recently been undertaking surfacing works on Fort Bridge, though our activities on the link road were affected by the recent weather.

Surfacing works cannot be undertaken during colder temperatures. Our team are now re-programming this work to allow for completion in February. Until these works are complete, we will check and maintain the ‘ramp’ signs.

On the project, we do use a number of ramp signs in areas where surfacing works still need to be completed. We would be grateful if you could confirm that our understanding that this is on the junction between the old Catterick Road and the new A6136 Link Road is correct.

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for your comment relating to the Scotch Corner Junction. We apologise for the length of time that it has taken for us to provide you with a response. We can confirm however, that regular inspections of the junction are undertaken by our traffic management team and for some time, we have been aware of issues relating to lane discipline on the southern bridge.
As traffic travels over the southern bridge, there have been a number of instances where drivers have been changing lanes at the point where traffic passes the turn-off for the A6108 Richmond Road. In order to facilitate works on the splitter island of the A6108 Richmond Road, we have implemented a chicane where traffic moves away from the working area. In accordance with traffic management guidance, we have used advanced signs to help with lane discipline and to advise of this chicane arrangement.
We have received a number of reports of drivers changing lanes, and as a direct result we have increased the temporary road markings in this area. Our team can confirm however, that all necessary signage is in place and this should prevent this type of incident. Our outstanding works at Scotch Corner Junction include permanent road markings and the installation of traffic signals and our aim is to complete these activities by the end of March 2018. Until then, we will continue to monitor the situation in this area and undertake regular traffic management inspections.

Kind Regards,

A1 Leeming to Barton team

Dear Phil

Thank you for your recent comment relating to the completion of Silver Street and the junction with Kneeton Lane (on the route from Junction 56 to Barton village). We accept that it is taking longer to complete works in this area than we would have originally hoped.

We would like to explain that one of the main reasons why works around the Silver Street Junction have taken so long, is that this is a critical junction to completing the overall scheme. Keeping the junction open to traffic has actually been more critical to overall completion of the scheme but this means that the area looks like it has just been left as unfinished works. Recently, we have had an overnight closure of Silver Street between Barton Lorry Park and Kneeton Lane to allow us to undertake reconstruction works and raise the level of the road. Works had originally been placed to take place in January but had to be rescheduled due to weather conditions affecting the planned surfacing works.

Our aim is to complete the works on the Silver Street Junction by March in accordance with works on the remaining sections of the scheme.

Kind Regards,
A1 Leeming to Barton team

So are we to understand that the drainage design of your much delayed and very expensive motorway cannot take the a surge in the level of the river Swale without flooding the carriageway leading to closures? The melting of the recent snowfall was not such an exceptional event was it? This could potentially happen any winter or even after any heavy rainfall.

Not long to go now until all the work is finished. Yes I have moaned at you like Victor Meldrew and yes it has been a
nightmare with traffic using our road as a rat run to avoid the longer
official route via the A19 and yes it has dragged on and on (and on and on) – BUT – Well
done to everybody for completing what is a cracking upgrade to an old and tired road, and let’s face it, job none of
us would like to do – and particularly in this awful weather.

The roadworks list above states:
A1(M) northbound between J57 and J58 | Northbound | Road Works
Location : The A1M northbound between junctions J57 and J60 . Reason : Roadworks scheme. Status : Currently Active. Period : from 21:02 on 21 March 2018 to 06:00 on 27 October 2018.

I thought this project was almost finished, is the new date now 27 October 2018?

Good evening. Wonder if this is still monitored.

Firstly, well done on the A1(M), looking lovely, flowing well etc.

Secondly, is anybody tasked to sort out the temporary feeling lane drop that takes place at Leeming, where the previously single scheme was split into two? Seems ridiculous to force all the lorries into a D2M stretch for a mile or so, only for the 3rd lane to reappear when the Bedale bypass joins. There isn’t that much traffic heading off to Wensleydale and Northallerton. If not, would you mind awfully if I trot out with a ladder and some paint and sort the sign out 😉 (obviously not going to do that!) I’ll charge 50k.

Hi

I’ve seen it said these A1 roadworks are now complete. That’s great news. Simple question… Does it mean that the A1 will never be closed anymore in this are due to these roadworks?

I have been avoiding my regular weekend trips from Durham to Manchester because of the weekend overnight road works that used to divert me up/down the A19 which was a very tedious detour.

Thanks,
Steve.

Dear Jack

Firstly, we would like to thank you for your comments on the A1 Leeming to Barton Scheme.

Junction 51 was completed as part of the Dishforth to Leeming scheme, before we are able to open the road we are required to carry out safety audits to ensure we have adhered to motorway standards. The audits carried out demonstrated that the design and construction complied with motorway standards. As the audit did not require any amendments to the road or junctions there are no planned works at this time.

Similar safety audits are to be undertaken on the Catterick Central Junction, and should the auditors deem that further lane markings are necessary, these will be applied.

Thank you for contacting Highways England

Kind regards

A1 Leeming to Barton Team

I am a cyclist, and twice in recent days have had problems at the temp traffic lights on Kneeton lane between Barton and Middleton Tyas. Setting off as lights turn green, but meeting oncoming traffic before reaching the other end of the restricted section. I also have received abuse from motorists coming towards me, this morning from a woman with children in her Range Rover

I’ve loved watching the transformation of the roads – amazing! But after five years of coping with chaos,closures and confusion, so disappointing to find Scotch Corner roundabout is now more dangerous than ever.
The problem is the new lights outside the hotel. Lane markings both say A1, with no differentiation for north or south. Although there’s an arrow for the right hand turn, at least twice a week I’ve nearly been rammed by someone in the left hand lane turning right – presumably to the A1South.
I know you can’t legislate for idiots – but if the lanes were marked North, North/South – it might help a bit.
The other problem is that there is so little queuing space for the new lights that you risk having your bum sliced off by traffic whizzing up the A66 westwards.
I use Scotch Corner at least four times a day and I’m beginning to dread it…

Thank you.
Sharon