A1 Peterborough - Blyth

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Scheme Outline

Grade-separation of remaining at-grade junctions on the 74 mile section between the A1(M) at Peterborough and Blyth, closing central reservation gaps and finally removing the remaining six roundabouts which are increasingly unsafe due to traffic levels and speeds. The work breaks down to six smaller schemes:

Timeline

1961
A1(M) Doncaster Bypass opens, terminating at a roundabout at Blyth.
1999
A1(M) Alconbury to Peterborough opens, terminating at a grade-separated junction near Peterborough.
2002
Highways Agency announces grade-separation of the remaining route.

Project Statistics

Cost
£87.3m (estimated total)
Finance
National government
Estimated duration of works
2006-2008
Length of works
6 junctions across 74 miles

Progress

December 2004
A1/A57 Apleyhead junction is approved, with draft orders published.
March 2005
Colsterworth, Gonerby Moor and Markham Moor junctions are all approved.
March 2006
Public inquiry is now taking place for Colsterworth Roundabout.
May 2006
Site clearance work has started at Blyth and Apleyhead roundabouts (J34 and at A57/B6420). It is not yet clear whether this is the actual start of work or simply some early clearance.
November 2006
Work has now started at three sites, with a contractor's village at Gonerby Moor and substantial work at the two most northerly sites. Signs are up warning of delays until November 2007 at some sites and January 2008 at others.
January 2007
Work continues, with a start of work at Markham Moor due in February.
March 2007
Trees have been cleared at Markham Moor. Apparently consideration is being given to another flyover close by, at Jockey Lane near Elkesley, which would allow the removal of the 50mph limit through the village.
September 2007
The Gonerby Moor overbridge is now fully built and stands in a field adjacent to the current A1. Work is now starting on the roads around the rest of the junction.
November 2007
At Appleyhead, the southbound A1 is now using the new underpass. Northbound traffic remains on the old roundabout. The overbridge at Blyth is now in place and soon to be in use. Markham Moor now has a bridge in place too, and works in building it revealed the original smaller roundabout inside the existing large one.
January 2008
Appleyhead junction is now almost complete apart from landscaping work and minor details on the roundabout, with A1 traffic using the underpass. Carriageway work is well underway at Blyth.
March 2008
At Gonerby Moor, the northbound carriageway through the junction is complete, with A1 traffic now using it in a contraflow. At Colsterworth, the new overpass is under construction, with bridge piers completed and the pre-fabricated bridge deck lying next to the road.
May 2008
Gonerby Moor and Blyth junctions are now fully open to traffic. Work has started at Carpenter's Lodge.

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With thanks to Gregski, Danny Finlay-Smith, Les Sanders, Mike Beasley, John Holland, Jim Rayner, Andy Kettles, Ed Fotheringham, John Dudley, Alastair Dunlop, Jonathan Roberts, James Hewson, Gerry McKenna and Toby Speight for information on this page.