A1(M) - A194(M) - A1231
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Ordnance Survey map - Alternative aerial view
Where is it?
The point where traffic heading to Newcastle and the surrounding area forks, choosing between the coast and Tyne Tunnel or the Western Bypass and city centre. The A1231 provides access to the large populated area to the east of here, including Sunderland and Washington.
What's wrong with it?
Its primary function, to either split northbound traffic from the A1(M), or merge it heading south onto the A1(M), works just fine. The trouble is the horrific connections with the A1231. As a major road, dualled and grade-separated and providing access to Washington, Sunderland and Middlesbrough via the A19 from the A1 Western Bypass, the connections are laughable. Thankfully access is provided to the Western Bypass. To get there from the A1(M) from the south, leave a junction early and traipse through Washington on the A195. To get there from the A194(M), leave a junction early and do the same on other roads. To get between the A1 and A194(M), the same must be done. In effect Washington makes many connections this junction ought to have.
Why is it wrong?
Presumably the A1231 came much later than this junction, which was built along with the A1(M) in the early 1960's. The Western Bypass is newer, though the junction already existed as the start of a dual carriageway into the centre of Newcastle. When the A1231 was added one can only assume money or land wasn't available to make more connections, or it was thought no others were needed.
What would be better?
It's reasonably simple to add a new sliproad from the A194(M) southbound to the A1231 eastbound, and space is also available for a loop from the A1231 westbound to the A194(M) northbound. However, given the additional distance to reach this junction to make a direct connection, it's more likely traffic would continue using Washington as a rat-run and so the investment is probably not worth it.
Right to Reply
E-mail me with your comments.
Ian Bailey responds:
Whilst I agree that the junction is a mess, the only major problem with it is the lack of free flow between the A1231 and the A1 Western Bypass. Coming off the A1 there is often a queue up the slip road. The single lane exit off the A1 joins the single lane of the dual carriageway overbridge. Most traffic off the A1 have to cross lanes in the 50 or so yards to the roundabout to turn right down the A1231.
Westbound the two slips bypassing both roundabouts are good for 30mph tops, and often backs up as the single lane that joins the A1 is the exit slip for the A167 junction that follows, so most traffic has to quickly merge into the often crawling two lanes of the A1.
As to why there's no access to the A1(M) or A194(M) from the A1231, it either isn't needed or is impossible. Traffic from Washington wanting the A194(M) uses the A182. The A182 has priority over the A1231 (and has the flyover at their junction), so not only does the A182 cut a corner off for westbound A1231 traffic but is also doesn't take any more effort apart from an extra 90 degrees round the roundabout. Any traffic from eastern Washington would take the A1231 east then the A19.
For Washington to the A1(M) southbound I can see where direct access would be nice, but its way too close to Washington Services to be practical (even though some slip roads join/leave the A1(M) only 10 metres apart), and the A195 does the job.
Adrian Beney replies:
I disagree with Ian Bailey, I think the whole junction is terrible. It's a nightmare going north staying on the A1(M) since it collapses from three lanes to two; it's a nightmare going north on the A194(M) since slow traffic has to move into the outside lane to use the junction. It's a nightmare from the A1231 going north or south since the whole thing is counter-intuitive.
It's also bad coming up the bit marked on your map in grey from Birtley, and trying to get anywhere! There are weird filter lanes, and counter-intuitive directions to be followed because of the lay-out of the junction.
I drive the Birtley section perhaps once every month or so; often enough that I should no longer be confused by it, but I still am!
My guess is that it is a victim of an awful lot more traffic using it than it was ever designed to take.
