Plans announced today reveal that the crossing at Guyzance/Swarland – long considered one of the worst junctions on the A1 – is set to receive an upgrade in the new year.

After two years of lobbying, and decades of unsafe driving, I’m delighted to hear that the dangerous junction at Guyzance will be improved.

Guyzance is one of the worst junctions from Morpeth to Berwick – and there’s some competition for that title. We’ve had years of inaction because of the long-dangled dualling, but now Northumberland residents will finally be getting a safer drive on the A1.

The proposed dualling project under the previous government restricted the works that could be taken on much of the A1 from 2014-2024, making this the first major safety project on the road in over a decade.

The improvements will target the southbound section, which has seen at least 19 casualties since 2005.

The announcement came as part of a National Highways tour of the A18 that my office organised and which included stops at Beal, Charlton Hall and Guyzance, and followed a visit to Guyzance last year.

And two weeks ago, when responding to my question in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would instruct Number 10 North to look at an ‘alternative way’ for funding a full dualling of the A1.

I hope the Prime Minister’s comments in Parliament will unlock further options for the A1. In the meantime I’m focusing on sensible safety improvements that get spades in the ground, like at Guyzance.

I also appreciated hearing about further plans for the A1 today from National Highways today, and look forward to seeing more safety works soon.

Works are expected to begin in 2027.