A1 North & South Access at Fenwick is Safe
Below is the map published by HIGHWAYS ENGLAND showing the proposed layout of the A1 where it is joined by the B6353 at Fenwick. Concerns have been raised that the intention is to close access to the Southbound carriageway of the A1 from the west at this point.
As can be seen, this is not the case. The junction is to be realigned and safety features added to the centre of the A1. This is confirmed in a recent email from Highways England to Phillip Hanson, Lowick Parish Councillor. The E-mail is repeated below 
Dear Mr Hanson
A1 in Northumberland Programme – B6365 Junction
As part of the A1 in Northumberland programme of works an option to provide overtaking opportunities on the A1 at Fenwick was previously developed and presented at the A1 in Northumberland Public Consultation Events in November 2016. This improvement could be accompanied by improvements to the A1 junction with the B6353. I can confirm that as part of the proposed improvements traffic would be able to turn both right and left at the B6353 onto the A1. I have included some further information below around the proposed improvements at this junction for your information;
- The B6353 minor road would be realigned to meet the A1 at a right angle, creating a staggered junction
- The A1 carriageway would be widened and both northbound and southbound traffic right turns at the junction will be accommodated with full standard ghost island central refuges, to allow drivers to wait for a gap in the opposing traffic without impeding mainline traffic flow.
- Northbound left turning traffic would also benefit from a deceleration taper for the B6353.
- New pedestrian crossing facilities are being considered; potentially central refuges would allow the crossing of the northbound and southbound traffic lanes in two stages.
The proposals are at early stage of development and we are currently reviewing and analysing all the responses received during the Public Consultation period, and are in the process of refining the designs and completing our assessment of these improvements following the feedback received. We are also undertaking an independent Road Safety Audit of the proposals north of Ellingham including at Fenwick, which will inform the future development of the options. Therefore please note that the designs are not yet finalised and subject to change. The proposals are also subject to completion of the value for money assessment and successful completion of associated statutory procedures.
For more information on the A1 in Northumberland scheme, please see the link to the scheme web page below. Here you can sign up for alerts to be notified when new information is made available and find out more about timescales:
http://roads.highways.gov.uk/projects/the-a1-in-northumberland/
If you have any questions about the scheme, please do not hesitate to contact me at A1inNorthumberland@highwaysengland.co.uk or on 0300 470 4585.
Kind regards
Nanette Hoyle
Regional Investment Programme (RIP) North, Project Manager
Highways England | Lateral | 8 City Walk | Leeds | LS11 9AT
Web: http://www.highways.gov.uk
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