Two long-awaited transport projects in Northumberland have been handed a major boost after the Government confirmed it would look to accelerate them "as fast as possible".
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's controversial Growth Plan 2022, dubbed the "mini budget" contained a list of infrastructure projects across the country the Government wants to get started on by the end of next year.
Among them was the dualling of a 23 mile stretch of the A1 in Northumberland between Morpeth and Ellingham and the Northumberland Line that will reintroduce passenger rail services between Newcastle and Ashington.
Read more: At a glance: Key points from Kwasi Kwarteng’s statement on the economy
According to the Government, the projects "may benefit from acceleration through planning reform, regulatory reform, improved processes or other options to speed up their development and construction, including through development consent processes".
The move has been welcomed by the leader of Northumberland County Council, Coun Glen Sanderson, who said both would bring huge benefits to the county. Coun Sanderson was hopeful the remaining stretch of the A1 in the county - from Ellingham to Berwick - would also be completed in the future.
He said: "I'm delighted. I think it is the view of everyone who lives in Northumberland that the A1 really must go ahead now.
"It is a tragic road because it has seen so many deaths and injuries over the years. You have to be prepared to go at 45 to 50mph on the single carriageway stretches, and people who don't know the road or are in a hurry take risks.
"For the people who have lost loved ones, this cannot come soon enough.
"People have been campaigning on this since I became a county councillor in 1989. In the past Northumberland was a place people flew over or whizzed past on the train, but now it is a destination. More and more people are using the A1 now.
"One of the key things is that it is also the main road between England and Scotland, and we need a strong arm between the two. It is high time this was done."
The Northumberland Line has been a key priority for the council's Conservative administration in recent years as it looks to improve the economy in the south east of the county. Beginning at Newcastle, the line will stop at Northumberland Park in North Tyneside, as well as Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Ashington in Northumberland.
A considerable amount of work has already been undertaken to bring the line to fruition, and Coun Sanderson is hopeful that the Government's pledge to accelerate it means it could see trains running within the next 18 months.
He continued: "The Northumberland line is the single most important thing that has happened to Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside and the North East region. To open up a rail line, to open up the opportunity for transport will see a huge reduction in CO2 and a reduction in the number of cars on the road.
"It will allow people to use public transport in the way they want to. It is honestly, for many people, a dream come true.
"It's been in the back of people's minds for a long time. It opens up the whole region so well Hopefully it will be up and running in the next 18 months and I can't wait to get on a train."
Coun Sanderson is hoping to see more details on what the Government is offering this week, but added he was just pleased there had been a commitment made.
He added: "This is great news for the whole region. It will make a big difference to lots of people."
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