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Non-Technical Summary
A1(M) Bramham to Wetherby
Non Technical Summary
Introduction
In June 2002, the Minister for Transport announced that the A1 between the A64 Bramham Crossroads Junction and Wetherby would be upgraded to motorway standard. The decision followed a roads based safety study between Bramham and Barton.
In October 2003 a Preferred Route Announcement was made. The proposals included the upgrading of the existing A1 to dual 3 lane motorway, closure of Tenter Hill, Wetherby Grange and Walton Road junctions with the A1, and construction of an all-purpose access road for local and non-motorway traffic.
Since the Preferred Route Announcement, a preliminary design for the scheme has been developed in consultation with local councils, action groups and parish councils. The scheme has now progressed to Draft Order Publication and this leaflet contains a summary of the Environmental Statement.
Need for the Scheme
This section of the A1 forms part of the strategic route between London and Edinburgh as well as providing an important link to principal towns. Traffic flows on the A1 in the Wetherby area are currently in the order of 83,000 vehicles per day (2004). This number is expected to rise to approximately 134,000 vehicles per day in around 20 years time. This is likely to lead to unacceptable levels of congestion on this section of the A1, particularly along the existing dual two lane section.
Congestion disrupts the flow of vehicles and encourages drivers toavoid the route, bringing pollution and noise into local towns and villages and making residential roads more dangerous. Without theproposed improvements, the growth in traffic will make driving conditions worse on the A1 and the situation in the local communities will deteriorate.
The Highways Agency's studies indicate that the financial benefits from savings in fuel, journey timesand reduced accidents will be substantially more than the estimated cost of the upgrading proposals.
