A1 road
The A1 is the longest numbered road in the UK at 409 miles (658 km) long. It connects London, the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England, with Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. For much of its path it follows the historic Great North Road. The modern course of the A1 diverges somewhat, particularly where it passed through a town or village that has subsequently been bypassed, or where new motorway standard road has been constructed on a more direct route. Between its junctions with the M25 (near London) and A696 (near Newcastle upon Tyne) the road forms part of the unsigned Euroroute E15 which runs from Inverness to Algeciras.
Contents |
Route
- See also: A1 road (London)
The A1 runs from the heart of the City of London at St. Paul's Cathedral to the centre of Scotland's capital, Edinburgh.
The A1 shares its London terminus with the A40, in the City area of Central London. It then runs out of London through Islington (where Upper Street forms part of its route), up Holloway Road, through Barnet, Potters Bar, Hatfield, Welwyn, Stevenage, Baldock, Biggleswade, Sandy, St Neots and Peterborough. Continuing north, the A1 runs on modern bypasses around Stamford, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent, Retford, Bawtry, Doncaster, Knottingley, Garforth, Wetherby, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Scotch Corner, Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Durham, Chester-le-Street, past the Angel of the North sculpture and the Metrocentre in Gateshead, around Newcastle upon Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed, into Scotland, past Dunbar, Haddington and Musselburgh before finally arriving in Edinburgh at the East End of Princes Street near Waverley Station at the junction of the A7, A8 and A900 roads.
Origins and history
- See also: Great Britain road numbering scheme
- See also: A1 road (London)
Some sections of the A1 follow old roman roads.
The modern A1 follows the route of a Roman road, Ermine Street from Alconbury as far as Colsterworth (at the A151 junction), and again in the North Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire areas. The A1 bisects the course of the Roman Rigg or Roman Ridge north of Doncaster.
The modern A1 also following much the same course as the ancient Great North Road although the Great North Road ran from Smithfield in Central London, up St John Street to the Angel Islington whereas the modern road following a parallel route from St Pauls up Aldersgate Street and Goswell Road.
The Great North Road includes other stretches of Roman Road including Dere Street, and is mentioned in much English literature, for example Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.
The legendary highwayman Dick Turpin's rapid flight from London to York, in less than 15 hours, on his faithful mare Black Bess, is perhaps the most famous legend of the Great North Road. Various inns that still stand along the A1 claim that Turpin ate his lunch there that night, or stopped off there for a brief respite for his horse. Harrison Ainsworth, in his famous 1834 romance Rookwood, immortalised this with a spirited account of this wonderful ride by Dick Turpin on his mare, and it is in this connection that Turpin's name has been generally remembered. Historians have frequently argued that Turpin never actually made this speedy journey, and that, as far as Turpin is concerned, the incident is pure fiction. They argue that such a ride was really made by John Nevison, known as "Swift Nick", born and raised at Wortley village near Sheffield and a well-known highwayman in the time of Charles II some 50 years before Turpin, who to establish an alibi rode from Gad's Hill (near Rochester, Kent) to York (some 190 miles) in about 15 hours.
Even more unreliable evidence links various highwaymen with the Ram-Jam Inn at Stretton, in Rutland. The A1 passes a few feet from the door. Although the interior of the historic inn was lost to fire in the 1970s, a modern restaurant occupies the building now.
The original Great North Road had a number of Historic Coaching Inns, including the George at Stamford and the Bell Inn at Stilton (hence Stilton cheese) which was first sold from the Inn from about 1730).
Scotch Corner, in North Yorkshire, marks the point where the traffic for Glasgow and the west of Scotland divides from that for Edinburgh, as it has for hundreds of years before motor traffic. As well as a historic hotel there have been a variety of homes for the famous transport café, now subsumed as a motorway services.
The road skirts the remains of Sherwood Forest, and passes the historic Catterick Garrison.
The original A1 route was designated by the Ministry of Transport in 1921
The route was modified in 1927 when bypasses were built around Barnet and Hatfield
In 1960 Stamford and Doncaster were bypassed, as was Retford in 1961 and St Neots in 1971.
During the early 1970s immediate plans to widen the A1 along the Archway Road were abandoned after four public inquiries when, for the first time, road protesters disrupted the process rather than relying on giving evidence in an orderly manner. The scheme was finally dropped in 1990.[1]
During the 1980s the Hatfield section was rebuilt in a tunnel.
Recent re-routing required the moving of the memorial at Norman Cross to the Napoleonic prisoners buried there.[2]
Speed cameras have been introduced on the busy single carriageway section north of Morpeth which is notorious stretch dangerous overtaking and where there is heavy tourist traffic to locations like Alnwick Castle and heavy goods vehicles serving Scotland[citation needed].
Improvements underway
A421 Great Barford Bypass
An upgrade of the Black Cat Roundabout at the junction with the A421 (Bedford Road) is now complete with the Great Barford A421 bypass also finished. 2006.[3]
A1 Peterborough to Blyth Grade Separated Junctions
Work has started in August 2006 to replace the six roundabouts (Blyth (A614), Apleyhead (A614/A57), Markham Moor (A57), Gonerby Moor (B1174), Colsterworth (A151) and the junction of A1/B6403, and Carpenters Lodge (Stamford) (B1081) on the A1 between Blyth and the A1(M) section to Alconbury with grade separated junctions. Once complete this will provide a fully grade separated route between the Buckden roundabout (just north of St Neots and approximately 4 miles north of the Black Cat roundabout) and just north of Morpeth.[4]
Proposed improvements
A1 Dishforth to Barton Improvement Scheme
Work on the Bramham cum Oglethorpe (the A1(M)/A64 junction) to Wetherby, and from Dishforth (A1(M)/A168 to Barton (end of northernmost section of A1(M)) is likely to start in autumn 2008 and be complete by 2011.[5]
A1(M) Bramham to Wetherby
The Bramham to Wetherby scheme public inquiry began on 18 October 2006 designed by James Poyner, construction of the Dishforth to Barton scheme is scheduled to start in April 2008[citation needed]. Once these two schemes are complete, which is currently scheduled for 2011, then the Newcastle upon Tyne area will be connected to the rest of the national motorway network.[6]
Ellington to Fen Ditton scheme
There is proposed Ellington to Fen Ditton scheme associated with the A14 at Brampton Hut roundabout.[7]
Other proposals
A proposal to replace the road with a parallel motorway between Baldock and Alconbury thus giving a continuous motorway to Peterborough, was dropped as too expensive, as was a proposal to convert the motorway north of Peterborough to Grantham.[8]
Plans to improve the single carriageway section of road north of Newcastle upon Tyne were shelved in 2006 as they were not considered a regional priority. Plans to dual the road between Morpeth and Felton and between Adderstone and Belford[9] There are now no current plans to dual the whole of the A1 route between Newcastle and Edinburgh, despite fierce campaigns[citation needed] in the past to make this so.
Improvements to junctions near the village of Elkesley, Nottinghamshire are planned; since the 1990s this has been the only location between London and Newcastle where there is a permanent speed restriction below national speed limit, as the village's only access to the rest of the road network is via the A1.[10]
Further sections of motorway upgrades are planned, which would ultimately create a single motorway running from Doncaster to Gateshead[citation needed].
Expressway
In Scotland a section of the road has been upgraded to motorway standard and classified as a Special Road, but is not designated as the A1(M). This runs from the east of Edinburgh to Dunbar.
A1(M)
Some sections of the A1 have been upgraded to motorway standard. These are known as the A1(M). These include:
- A stretch between the M25 at South Mimms to the town of Stotfold;
- The four lane Peterborough section from the Alconbury junction near Huntingdon to Orton Southgate near Peterborough; this stretch starts just north of the A14 junction proper and receives traffic from the A14 eastbound from the M6 and westbound from the A14 spur and M11.
- The Doncaster bypass, which intersects the M18 (this was the first section of motorway on the A1 and one of the earliest sections of motorway built in the United Kingdom);
- The new Hook Moor section, and South Leeds Orbital, from Darrington, intersects with the M62 adjacent to Ferrybridge power station and is joined by the end of the M1 at Aberford.
- A relatively new (1993) section which now runs from Wetherby to Dishforth, past Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge. The southern stretch to the River Wharfe bridge opened in August 2005. This was separated from the existing Hook Moor section by only around 6.5 miles of dual carriageway. The majority of this was replaced in 2006 by a new section taking the A1(M) east of Wetherby, joining the old dual carriageway section for only a mile at Wetherby racecourse, before it opens out again to the three lanes and on to Darrington.
- The final stretch of A1(M) from Barton just north of Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire to Washington in Tyne and Wear through County Durham.
Barton to Newcastle
A1(M) motorway | |
Length | 30 miles (48.3 km) |
Direction | North - South |
Start | Barnton |
Primary destinations | (Newton) Aycliffe Chester-le-Street Darlington Durham Scotch Corner |
End | Washington |
Construction dates | 1999 - 2006 |
Motorways joined | 57 - A66(M) motorway 65 - A194(M) motorway |
Euroroute(s) |
This section in stages:
- Junctions 56 to 59 opened in 1965
- Junctions 59 to 63 opened in 1969
- Junctions 63 to 65 opened in 1970
Junctions
A1(M) Motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Road continues as A1 to Newcastle | J65 | Washington A1231 Non motorway traffic |
South Shields, Tyne Tunnel A194(M) | Start of Motorway | |
Washington Services | ||
Washington A195 | J64 | Washington A195 |
Chester-le-Street A167 Stanley A693 |
J63 | Chester-le-Street A167 Stanley A693 |
Durham, Sunderland A690 | J62 | Durham A690 |
Spennymoor A688 Durham A177 Durham services |
J61 | Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor A688 Durham services |
Newton Aycliffe, Hartlepool, Ferryhill A689 | J60 | Newton Aycliffe, Hartlepool A689 |
Newton Aycliffe A167 | J59 | Newton Aycliffe, Darlington, Stockton A167 |
Shildon, Bishop Auckland A68 | J58 | Darlington A68 |
Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough A66(M) | J57 | No exit |
Start of Motorway | J56 | Melsonby, Barton B6275 |
Melsonby, Barton B6275 Non motorway traffic |
Road continues as A1 towards Wetherby |
Wetherby to Dishforth
A1(M) motorway | |
Length | 17 miles (27.4 km) |
Direction | North - South |
Start | Wetherby |
Primary destinations | |
End | Dishforth |
Construction dates | 1995 - 2005 |
Motorways joined | none |
Euroroute(s) |
This section opened in stages:
- Junctions 46 to 47 opened in 2005
- Junctions 47 to 49 opened in 1995
Junctions
A1(M) Motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Road continues as A1 to Durham | J49 | Thirsk, Middlesbrough A168 (A19) Non motorway traffic |
Thirsk, Middlesbrough A168 (A19) | Start of Motorway | |
Ripon, Boroughbridge A168 | J48 | Boroughbridge A168 Knaresborough A6055 |
Knaresborough, Harrogate A59 | J47 | York, Knaresborough A59 |
Start of motorway | J46 | Kirk Deighton, Wetherby A168 Kirk Deighton services (planned) |
Kirk Deighton, Wetherby A168 Non motorway traffic Kirk Deighton services (planned) |
Road continues as A1 to Doncaster |
M62 to Wetherby
A1(M) motorway | |
Length | 14 miles (22.5 km) |
Direction | North - South |
Start | Darrington |
Primary destinations | Wetherby |
End | Bramham |
Construction dates | 1999 - 2006 |
Motorways joined | 41 - M62 motorway 43 - M1 motorway |
Euroroute(s) |
This section opened in sections:
- Junctions 43 to 44 opened in 1999
- When this section opened it ended at a temporary terminus south of the M1. There was a final exit into Micklefield Village for non-motorway traffic onto what is now the access road.
- Junctions 40 to 43 opened in 2005 & 2006
- This is the most recent upgrade of the road, which upgraded the previous two-lane dual carriageway, much of which was on a substandard alignment to a dual 3-lane motorway. The northern section of the upgrade, bypassing Fairburn village opened to traffic in April 2005 with a temporary connection with the existing A1 between Fairburn and Brotherton. The southern section, with a free-flow interchange with the M62 motorway opened to traffic on 13 January 2006.
Junctions
A1(M) Motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Road continues as A1 to Durham | J44 | Leeds, York A64 Non motorway traffic |
Leeds, York A64 | Start of Motorway | |
No exit | J43 | The SOUTH, Leeds M1 |
Leeds, Selby A63 | J42 | Selby A63 |
Hull, Goole, Manchester, Pontefract, Leeds M62 | J41 | Hull, Goole, Manchester, Pontefract, Leeds M62 Ferrybridge services |
Start of motorway | J40 | No exit |
Knottingley A162 Non motorway traffic Ferrybridge services |
Road continues as A1 to Doncaster |
Doncaster Bypass
A1(M) motorway | |
Length | 15 miles (24.1 km) |
Direction | North - South |
Start | Blyth |
Primary destinations | |
End | Carcroft |
Construction dates | 1961 - complete route |
Motorways joined | 35 - M18 motorway |
Euroroute(s) |
This section opened in 1961.
Junctions
A1(M) Motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Road continues as A1 to Wetherby | J38 | South Elmsall, Ackworth, Wakefield A638 Non motorway traffic |
South Elmsall, Ackworth, Wakefield A638 | Start of Motorway | |
Barnsley, Thurnscoe A635 | J37 | Barnsley, Thurnscoe A635 |
Doncaster, Doncaster Railport, Conisbrough A630 | J36 | Doncaster, Doncaster Railport, Conisbrough A630 |
Sheffield, Rotherham Hull, Scunthorpe, Doncaster Robin Hood Airport M18 |
J35 | Sheffield, Rotherham Hull, Scunthorpe, Robin Hood Airport M18 |
Start of motorway | J34 Terminus |
The SOUTH, Newark A1 Bawtry A614 Blyth B6045 Blyth services |
Alconbury to Peterborough
A1(M) motorway | |
Length | 14 miles (22.5 km) |
Direction | North - South |
Start | Alconbury |
Primary destinations | |
End | Peterborough |
Construction dates | 1998 - Complete Route |
Motorways joined | none |
Euroroute(s) |
This section opened in 1998.
Junctions
A1(M) Motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Road continues as A1 to Newark | J17 | Peterborough A1139 Peterborough Services Non motorway traffic |
Peterborough A1139 Peterborough Services |
Start of Motorway | |
Yaxley, Stilton A15 | J16 | Yaxley, Stilton A15 |
Sawtry B1043 | J15 | Sawtry B1043 |
No exit | J14 | Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambridge, Felixstowe A14 (M11)
London THE CITY and EAST |
Start of Motorway | J14 | No exit |
Alconbury Non motorway traffic |
Road continues as A1 to Sandy |
M25 to Baldock
A1(M) motorway | |
Length | 23 miles (37 km) |
Direction | North - South |
Start | South Mimms |
Primary destinations | Hatfield Welwyn Garden City Stevenage |
End | Baldock |
Construction dates | 1962 - 1986 |
Motorways joined | 1 - M25 motorway |
Euroroute(s) |
This section opened in stages:
- Junctions 1 to 2 opened in 1979
- Junctions 2 to 4 opened in 1986
- Junctions 4 to 6 opened in 1973
- Junctions 6 to 8 opened in 1962
- Junctions 8 to 10 opened in 1967
Junctions
A1(M) Motorway | ||
Northbound exits | Junction | Southbound exits |
Road continues as A1 to Sandy | J10 | Stotfold, Henlow A507 Baldock services Non motorway traffic |
Stotfold, Henlow A507 Baldock services |
Start of Motorway | |
Letchworth, Baldock A6141 | J9 | Letchworth, Baldock, Hitchin A6141 |
Hitchin, Stevenage A602 | J8 | Stevenage A602 |
Stevenage, Ware A602 | J7 | Stevenage, Ware A602 |
Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City A1000 | J6 | Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City A1000 |
No exit | J5 | No exit |
Welwyn Garden City, Hertford A414 | J4 | Welwyn Garden City, Hertford A414 |
Hatfield Tunnel | ||
St Albans A414 | J3 | St Albans A414 Potters Bar A1001 |
Hatfield A1001 | J2 | No exit |
Start of motorway | J1 | Dartford (M11, M20) Heathrow (M1, M40, M4) M25 Barnet A1081 South Mimms services |
Dartford (M11, M20) Heathrow (M1, M40, M4) M25 Barnet A1081 South Mimms services Non motorway traffic |
Road continues as A1 to Central London |
Popular culture
- Part of the J.B. Priestley novel The Good Companions features the Great North Road, a representation to the northerner Jess Oakroyd as the gateway to such exotic destinations as Nottingham.
- The Lord Peter Wimsey short story "The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag" by Dorothy L. Sayers features a motorcycle chase along the Great North Road.
- Near the southern end are signs saying "Hatfield and the North". These signs gave their name to 70s rock band Hatfield and the North.
- The A1(M) is mentioned in the song "Gabadon" by Sheffield band Haze.
- The 'Great North Road' is mentioned in Mark Knopfler's song "5:15 AM", from the album Shangri La.
See also
References
- ^ Road Victories (pdf). Road Block. Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ^ Norman Cross Eagle Appeal. Local Heritage Initiative. Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ^ A421 Great Barford Bypass Scheme Page. Highways Agency. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ A1 Peterborough to Blyth Grade Separated Junctions Scheme. Highways Agency. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ A1 Dishforth to Barton Improvement Scheme. Highways Agency. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ A1(M) Bramham to Wetherby. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ Highways Agency A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Scheme. Highways Agency. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ Column: 1180. Hansard. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ Northumberland Today - A1 dualling hopes dashed. Nothumberland Today (2006-07-13). Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/5815.aspx
External links
- CBRD Motorway Database - A1(M)
- BiffVernon: A1-The Great North Road
- Society for All British Road Enthusiasts entry for the A1
- Road to Nowhere: A1
- The Motorway Archive (A1(M))
- Pathetic Motorways: A1(M) Central Motorway East
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Great Britain |
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Northern Ireland | M1 • M2 • M3 • M5 • M12 • M22 • A8(M) | ||||||||||
Past | M16 • M41 • M63 • A18(M) • A40(M) • A41(M) • A102(M) • A6144(M) | ||||||||||
Unbuilt | M12 • M13 • M15 • M31 • M64 | ||||||||||
Future | New M4 |
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