Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
The project
The Project
This will comprise the following:
- The operation and maintenance of 53 kilometres (33 miles) of the A1 between Darrington (south of M62) and Dishforth (the junction with the A168);
- The construction of two of the Targeted Programme for Improvement (TPI) Schemes
- Safety improvements including improvements to the motorway communications system (motorway signing signalling and emergency telephones).
The route of the Project Road is shown on the key plan.
What is dbfo?
What is DBFO?
The Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) Project is part of the Government's Public Private Partnership initiative. The aim is to forge closer co-operation between the public and private sectors and introduce private sector skills and disciplines into the management of projects and services traditionally undertaken by the public sector. By applying this to the trunk road network the Highways Agency is seeking to improve highways maintenance and obtain better value for money in the delivery of large improvement schemes.
The Highways Agency has appointed Road Management Services (Darrington) Ltd who will raise the necessary finance for the project, design and construct the highway improvements and operate and maintain these and other sections of the A1(M) and A1(T) for 30 years after the completion of construction.
Programme
Programme
The programme leading up to the start of the main works is as follows:-
- Selection of Preferred Bidder 23 September 2002
- Contract Award 14 February 2003
- Commencement of main works (i.e. Construction and Operation & Maintenance) 7 May 2003
- Completion of A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford August 2005
- Completion of A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor January 2006
- Completion of whole project including downgrading works anticipated Spring 2006
Latest Information
A press notice provides additional information on the opening of Holmfield Interchange.
Targeted programme of improvement schemes
Targeted Programme of Improvement Schemes
In 1998, the document A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England reported on the Government's strategic review of the national roads programme. It was one of a number of publications that spelt out more fully the policies in the White Paper 'A New Deal For Transport: Better for Everyone'. The Government set the Highways Agency the objective of delivering a carefully targeted programme of large-scale improvements to the motorway and trunk road network. The intention is to start construction of these by 2004.
The targeted programme of improvements is aimed at relieving towns and villages blighted by heavy through traffic and includes schemes to ensure that the network functions effectively in support of the economy and regeneration. Both the A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor and the A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford Schemes are included in the Highways Agency's Strategic Plan for improving the motorway and trunk road network in England. The Minister stated that these schemes would be taken forward as a DBFO, now known as the A1 Darrington to Dishforth.
A1(m) ferrybridge to hook moor section
A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor Section
The new A1(M) dual three-lane motorway between Darrington just south of the M62, and linking wiyh the M1 at Hook Moor just north of Micklefield, including the new Holmfield Interchange, a free flowing junction between the A1(M) and the M62 motorways near Ferrybridge. The route of the scheme is shown on a plan.
Benefits
This project removed large volumes of traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, from communities along the old A1 at Ferrybridge, Brotherton and Fairburn and moved traffic away from the A1 and M62 junction (M62 junction 33) at Ferrybridge.
Details
- Standard - Dual 3 Lane Motorway
- Length - 17 Kilometres (11 Miles)
- Structures - 30 No. Major (+ minor culverts & gantries)
- Junctions
- Holmfield Interchange a Free Flow Interchange A1(M) / M62
- Grade Separated Junction A1(M) / A63
- Opened to traffic - January 2006
Progress
Prior to the award of the DBFO Contract, the Highways Agency commissioned a number of advance works which were carried out between 2001 and 2003.
These works included:
- The diversion of over head power lines near to Ferrybridge Power Station by both National Grid Company and Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Ltd.
- A new replacement waste water treatment works constructed at Micklefield by Yorkshire Water plc.
- Diverted mains water supplies in the Holmfield Interchange Area by Yorkshire Water.
The Highways Agency also carried out accommodation works on behalf Ferrybridge Power Station which included alterations to the Brotherton Ings Ash Lagoons and the construction of a replacement golf course.
- Archaeological Services WYAS completed their advanced Archaeological Investigation Field Works close to Ferrybridge Henge in October 2002, their completed analysis and reporting, were included in the production of a popular Archaeological publication.
- Road Management Services (Darrington) Limited started construction of the main works in May 2003. The main features of the scheme are as follows;
- A new bridge, known as Longbull Hill Bridge, to carry the M62 over the new A1(M) has been constructed just to the west of J33. This was constructed in 3 phases in order to ensure that, throughout the works, traffic on the M62 had 3 lanes available in each direction. The final third phase was completed in mid October 2005.
- The Holmfield Interchange between the A1(M) and the M62 was completed in January 2006. The shape of the bridge piers have been specifically designed to reflect the shape of the power station cooling towers. The design was approved by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
- In April 2005, RMS held a competition for the design of an architectural feature to be constructed within the new Holmfield Interchange. The feature was to reflect the archaeology of the area. The wining design reflects the shape of Iron Age barrows or burial mounds. A number of these barrows were excavated by archaeologists prior to start of construction. The feature can be seen to the west of the A1(M) as it passes through the Holmfield Interchange.
- The new bridge carrying the A1(M) over the River Aire is known as Lagentium Bridge, which is the Roman name for Castleford. Work on this 200 metre long structure was completed in October 2005.
- The section between Brotherton and Hook Moor was open to traffic between February and April 2005. This enabled the downgrading works through Fairburn, Selby Fork and the Boot & Shoe junction to be undertaken. The diversion of traffic onto the new road moved about 70,000 vehicles per day away from the centre of the village.
- The whole section between Darrington and Hook Moor, including the M62/A1(M) Holmfield Interchange was fully opened to traffic in January 2006.
A1(m) ferrybridge to hook moor section map (south)
A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor Section Map (South)
Works
Insert Map
A1(m) ferrybridge to hook moor section map (north)
A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor Section Map (North)
Works
A1(m) wetherby to walshford section
A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford Section
The new A1(M) dual three-lane motorway to the north of Wetherby takes traffic away from the existing A1. The route of the scheme is shown on a plan.
The public inquiry into the scheme took place in October 1993 and the Highways Orders were made in September 1994.
Benefits
This project improved environmental conditions for those who live and work in north Wetherby and provided a much safer road, through the elimination of sub-standard bends and by the separation of the long distance traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, from local and slow moving agricultural traffic.
Details
- Standard - Dual 3 Lane Motorway
- Length - 5 Kilometres (3 Miles)
- Structures - 8 No. Major (+ minor culverts & gantries)
- Junctions - Grade Separated Junction at Kirk Deighton
- Opened to traffic - August 2005
Progress
Road Management Services Ltd started construction of the main works on the Wetherby to Walshford section in May 2003 and was fully opened to traffic on 26 August 2005. The main features of the scheme are as follows;
- In order to minimise disruption to the A1 traffic, the deck for the new bridge at the B1224 York Road was constructed alongside the A1. This was then lifted into place during an overnight closure of the A1 in May 2004. Following completion of the bridge and the diversion of traffic onto the new bridge, the old bridge was demolished during an overnight closure in October 2004.
- The route of the A1(M) crosses the River Nidd about a half mile downstream of the old Walshford Bridge. A new bridge to carry the motorway over the river has been constructed together with other measures which mitigate against the risk of flooding. These measures which have been agreed with the Environment Agency include works to provide compensatory wash lands by lowering the surrounding ground levels by up to 1 metre, flood arches and a fish haven.
- The new Kirk Deighton Junction and the approach link roads were constructed during 2003 and 2004.
A1(m) wetherby to walshford section map
A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford Section Map
A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford Section Map (North)
A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford Section Map (South)
Key plan map
Key Plan Map
Contact
Contact
For contact details please refer to the A1 Darrington to Dishforth DBFO.