Консерваторы обещают озвучить позицию по дублированию трассы A1 в будущем

Kemi Badenoch’s office says Tories will ‘endeavour’ to set out position on A1 dualling The party did not commit to the scheme but said it was "not relaxed" about transport in the north The Conservatives say they will set out a position on plans to dual the A1 “in due course” – but the leader of the opposition’s office has declined to make a commitment at this stage. It comes after Berwick councillor Georgina Hill contacted Kemi Badenoch’s office asking what the party’s current position was. The previous Conservative Government did greenlight plans to dual 13 miles of the road between Morpeth and Ellingham. However, the announcement came after a general election had been called and the plans were subsequently scrapped by Labour after being deemed poor value for money. In a letter to Coun Hill, seen buy the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a spokesman for Ms Badenoch said: “On the A1, I am afraid I am not able to set out a position on individual schemes at this stage. “Our transport programme is still being developed ahead of the next election and I would not want to give you an answer this office could not stand behind. What I can tell you is the direction of travel. “In Government we announced Network North, a £36 billion plan to improve connectivity across the Midlands and the North, including £8.3 billion for local authorities to repair the roads most in need of it. Since then, Labour’s first Budget scrapped five road improvement schemes, and the Road Haulage Association described the Spending Review settlement for the Strategic and Local Road Networks as a real terms cut. “Road investment in the North is not something we are relaxed about. Your question has been noted by the Leader’s Office, however, and we will endeavour to set out a position on this in due course.” Coun Hill revealed she had contacted all major opposition parties to find out their position on the A1. However, only the Tories have responded at this stage. She said: “Like most people, I am cynical about the political posturing over the decades around the A1 and doubtful that it will ever happen. It is also important to remember that what has been in discussion, and formed an eve of general election pledge, is only a 13 miles stretch of the road – not anywhere close to Berwick. “I have seen a lot of politics played out over the years and I thought it would be useful to establish the other parties and potential next Prime Ministers positions. Only the main Tory opposition have responded and the response from Kemi Badenoch’s office was sensible and honest – but let nobody pretend that any political party’s current position is to dual even that 13 mile stretch.” It comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham made positive comments about reopening the case for the scheme. Speaking in Westminster, the new PM said he would ask the Transport Secretary to work with colleagues at Number 10 North to “see what can be done” to bring forward “a new way” of delivering the “much-needed infrastructure”. Conservative council leader Glen Sanderson said it was important to keep party politics out of the debate. Coun Sanderson said: “I have tried, and been relatively successful, in reigniting the A1 dualling campaign. Everything I say is non-political at this stage and I hope we can all have the same attitude. “We have to stop the back biting and the you said he said. All councillors are entitled to do whatever they want and email whoever they want, but I am only interested in getting this road dualled.” Calls to dual the road have grown louder in recent months following a string of serious accidents which has seen a number of tragic fatalities this year. The Government has already committed to safety improvements on the A1 in Northumberland as part of the Road Investment Strategy. The Chronicle and Journal are heading a new campaign to dual the A1, and has brought together a coalition of political, business and community leaders to support that call after a number of recent deaths on the road. Did you know you can make ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here's more information about what this means and how to do it - you can also do it straight away by clicking here. Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.