Almost three quarters of drivers say they avoid East Midlands road that takes ‘heart-breaking toll on life’

11/12/2023

Almost three out of four drivers surveyed have said they avoid driving on the dangerous East Midlands stretch of the A1. The road [1], which runs between London and Edinburgh, saw 27 deaths and more than 200 closures due to traffic incidents between 2015 and 2020 on its East Midlands stretch alone, data compiled by Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) shows. The group, which represents all the highway authorities in the region, surveyed 1,000 drivers in the region, with more than 600 saying they felt unsafe on the road. Almost half said they had either been in an accident on the road themselves or knew someone who had.

More than 700 said they avoided travelling on the road. Some 100 businesses [2] were also surveyed, almost all said they had changed the way they operate due to the road, including sending their drivers on different routes or ensuring they hired drivers experienced with the route. Major concerns were raised by those asked about congestion, poor road conditions and signage, junction safety and accidents on the East Midlands stretch, according to TfEM. Political leaders [4] across the region are now calling on the Government to invest in making the road safer.

These include Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby [5], who chairs the TfEM group. He said: “This survey adds the voices of local people and businesses to the mounting evidence that the A1 is not fit for purpose in the East Midlands. “In the past few years, there have been 27 fatal accidents on this stretch of the A1 – significantly higher than average for an A-road dual carriageway – and more than 200 road closures, some of which have lasted up to 10 hours.

This is an appalling human cost and unacceptable. “While forthcoming National Highways safety work to improve the road’s lane markings and signage is very welcome, what we really need is a more strategic approach to enhancing the route to improve reliability and resilience and bring the A1 in the East Midlands up to a standard that reflects its national and regional economic role.”

Mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby (Image: PA)

TfEM said sections of the road in other parts of the country have been upgraded to motorway standards already, including in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and parts of the North East. However the 72-mile stretch that serves 1.9 million people between Stamford in Lincolnshire and Worksop/Retford in Nottinghamshire remains an unlit dual carriageway with no CCTV monitoring.

Some of the A1’s entry and exit lanes in the East Midlands are short and – unlike motorways – there are also crossing points where vehicles can drive directly across carriageways, the group added. Research recently published by Midlands Connect found that delays on this part of the A1 are costing the regional economy around GBP1.75m every year, it continued. This equates to commuters losing around GBP1,400 every day and HGV drivers losing just under GBP514,000 a year.

MP for Rutland and Melton Alicia Kearns is also backing calls for regional improvements. Ms Kearns, who also chairs the A1 Group of MPs, said the road is taking “a heart-breaking toll on people’s lives” and alarm bells should be ringing. She added: “As I have made clear in parliament, the A1 is failing us as a critical economic artery.

“It has also taken a heart-breaking toll on people’s lives and the concerns these surveys highlight about the road’s safety should set alarm bells ringing. This is an ‘A’ road with sub-standard junctions and right turn movements, accident blackspots and a lack of resilience or alternative routes during closures. Critically, there is also a lack of safety technology, including CCTV and even SoS telephones, so those in danger are unable to get the help that they need.

“As a matter of urgency, we need to see a clear plan to address these concerns.

Too many people have lost their lives on the A1, and the toll it is taking on businesses and communities is unacceptable.

Its safety infrastructure must be raised to a higher standard.”

References

^ The road (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ businesses (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ End of the line for Leicester railway pub building as demolition approved (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ Political leaders (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ Sir Peter Soulsby (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)