Second phase of A1 improvement nears completion

Drivers will benefit from an extra lane and better information during their journeys on the A1 near Scotch Corner from next week as part of a major scheme to upgrade the road.

The four mile section will be the second phase of the major scheme to upgrade the A1 between Leeming and Barton. Drivers will also be able to use the A6055 – the local access road which runs between Catterick, Brompton-on-Swale, Scotch Corner and Barton – from next Monday.

Once finished, the full scheme between Leeming and Barton will complete the missing link of motorway between London and Newcastle.

Highways England project manager, Tom Howard, said: “We are now reaching the final stages of this important scheme which will ultimately see the A1 between Leeming and Barton upgraded to a three-lane motorway, easing congestion and making journeys quicker than before.

“Since we opened the southern section in September we have completed work on Fort Bridge re-establishing this important east-west link and will now focus on completing the works on the embankment adjacent to Fort Bridge and at Scotch Corner.

“We would like to thank drivers for their patience as we move nearer to completing this vital project.”

The final stage – the two mile section of road from junction 52 at Catterick which runs over the River Swale to meet motorway traffic to the north of the town – is planned to open in March.