Over the last few months, Richard has been working with National Highways, Central Bedfordshire and Sandy Town Councillors, as well as local group, SG19, to find solutions to longstanding problems with the A1.
Richard Fuller, MP for North East Bedfordshire, said:
Following a meeting I coordinated between National Highways and the relevant local groups and councillors, I am pleased that National Highways has acted on a number of areas we discussed.
We proposed small improvements to parts of the route that could make a difference to local people and I am pleased with the progress made since that meeting.
The improvements discussed and acted on were:
- Northbound carriageway approaching New Road to turn right - National Highways plans to carry out a safety study later this year to review this section of the route and the viability, or otherwise, of closing the central reservation gaps. It is expected that the survey work and review will be completed before the end of March 2022.
- Road markings - National Highways is refreshing road markings between Sandy and Biggleswade this autumn. Work has recently started and will take approximately three weeks to complete.
- Signage along the A1 at Sandy - After years of Campaigning the Advance Directional Sign on the A1 has now been changed to advise drivers that the exit is for local traffic only.
In terms of substantive improvements to the A1, the next round of route strategies for the Strategic Route Network (SRN) will be an opportunity to consider the impact of current and proposed development on the route. Work is now starting on the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). Richard recently met with the Minister and shared his priorities for RIS3, which can be read here. If you would like to have your say on the future of our road network, please complete this National Highways survey which is open until 30 November.
