Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have both pledged to finally push ahead with the delayed dualling of the A1 in Northumberland if they become Prime Minister.
As the two contenders to replace Boris Johnson faced off in a leadership hustings in the North East on Tuesday, each candidate promised to put the long-awaited widening of the key route back on track.
A decision on whether to proceed with the upgrade of a single-lane section of the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham had been due in January this year, before being pushed back to June and then again by a further six months. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced in June that the verdict would now come on or before December 5 this year, ending hopes of work starting this summer on the 13-mile scheme.
