Widening A1 will aid more than the economy

THE importance of the A1, which runs through a large section of my Roxburgh & Berwickshire constituency, is more than just local.

Regionally, this is one of the key routes through the south-east of Scotland, and nationally, it is a vital link between Scotland and England.

Given its significance, improving the A1, including dualling the single-carriageway sections of the road, would bring tangible benefits to the thousands of businesses, tourists, commuters and residents who use it regularly.

Unfortunately, the Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson MSP, disagrees. In a reply to my Parliamentary Question in July, he stated that there "are currently no plans to upgrade the A1 between Dunbar and the Scottish Borders". His Westminster counterpart Tom Harris MP has made similar comments about the sections of the road south of the Border.

Whatever their motivation, I believe that they are seriously underestimating the importance of the A1 to the wider economy.

An improved A1 would provide more than just economic benefits. I am convinced it would also bring a significant improvement in road safety.

Whilst no fatal accidents took place on the dual-carriageway sections of the A1 in the Borders, the figure for single-carriageway sections is 2.58 per 100 million vehicle km. This figure is almost twice the average for a single-carriageway Scottish trunk road.

In light of this, I have decided to bring together individuals, business representatives, local authorities and cross-party politicians to argue the case for dualling the A1 between Dunbar and the north of England.

By bringing together a wide range of experts and interested parties, I hope to force the Government, both at Westminster and Holyrood, to sit up and take notice.

You only have to look at Edinburgh's trams or the proposed reopening of the Waverley rail line to see that money is available for improved transport links in Scotland.

• John Lamont is Conservative MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire