POLICY T1
THE FOLLOWING NEW ROADS AND MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WILL COMMENCE WITHIN THE PLAN PERIOD
i) THE PROVISION OF A GRADE SEPARATED JUNCTION ON THE A1 TO THE NORTH OF STANNINGTON VILLAGE
ii) THE A1/SOUTH EAST NORTHUMBERLAND LINK ROAD
THE FOLLOWING SCHEMES WILL NOT COMMENCE DURING THE PLAN PERIOD, BUT THE ALIGNMENT WILL BE SAFEGUARDED PENDING THE ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE INQUIRY INTO THE FUTURE USE OF THE OTTERBURN TRAINING GROUNDS
iii) THE B6318-A69 LINK ROAD (IRON SIGN).
iv) THE A696 BELSAY BYPASS
v) THE A696 PONTELAND BYPASS
vi) THE EXTENSION OF THE CALLERTON LANE LINK ROAD TO JOIN THE PONTELAND BYPASS
DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED IF IT WOULD BE LIKELY TO PREJUDICE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY OF THESE SCHEMES

8.14.1 Scheme ii, iv, v and vi in the above Policy relate to individual settlements and are dealt with in the relevant settlement chapters.

8.14.2 A great deal of continuing concern is expressed about road safety and the inadequate standards on the single carriageway stretches of the A1 trunk route between Newcastle and Edinburgh. Northumberland County Council and the District Councils, the Lothian and Borders Regional Councils in Scotland and road users recognise the need for a realistic policy and programme for improvement. A joint initiative has been set up by the local authorities to collate information about the A1 and an approach has been made to the Scottish Office and the Department for Transport regarding the upgrading of the whole length of the A1 from Newcastle upon Tyne to Edinburgh to dual carriageway standard. A joint technical report by the Highways Authorities involved has been prepared and examines the role of the A1, its present standards, the accidents and traffic patterns and the likely effects of forecast increases in traffic up to 2010. The report concludes that, contrary to the views of the Secretary of State, improving the A1 would make a much greater contribution to road safety than many of the current schemes in the roads programme. There is a strong case for pressing the Scottish Office and the Department for Transport to adopt a policy to improve the A1 to dual carriageway standard between Newcastle and Edinburgh and for implementation to take place within the foreseeable future. The Council fully supports this proposal and will, through the policies of the Local Plan, assist in the realisation of this objective. As already stated in paragraph 8.10.5, the Government has now commissioned a full study into the future of the road and transport issues along the length of the A1 North of Newcastle. Any relevant proposals that are recommended from that study will be introduced into the Local Plan at the first opportunity.

8.14.3 As part of the A1 improvement campaign, there is a need at certain sensitive locations to provide grade separated junctions. Eight locations have been identified within the Borough. The Council is particularly concerned at the accident rates experienced at Stannington Station Road and both junctions serving Stannington Village, all south of Morpeth. The needs of other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders should also be addressed. The Junction to the North of Stannington Village is to be addressed by the creation of a grade-separated junction, for which the funding has now been confirmed by the Government. It will be dependent on the outcome of a public inquiry into objections that have been raised to the scheme.

B6318-A69 Link Road, Iron Sign

8.14.4 The approval of expansion of activity at the Otterburn Training Area has renewed calls for highway improvements to cater for the traffic generated within the area. As part of this, it is the Councils view that the upgrading of this link is required and that the U9037 Iron Sign road is the preferred route from the B6318 to the A69 as it can be readily improved, a portion of the road has already been upgraded and through traffic would be diverted away from the historic site of the Roman Fort at Rudchester.

FIG. 8.2 - B6318-A69 LINK ROAD, IRON SIGN ILLUSTRATIVE DIAGRAM