MSP calls for upgrades on 'neglected' A1

GOVERNMENTS in England and Scotland are being urged to take action to improve the "neglected" A1 road.

The call came from Berwickshire MSP John Lamont at a meeting in Reston, where local campaigners outlined the case for dualling the remaining single carriageway sections of the A1.

The campaign to dual the A1 has been a longstanding focus of Mr Lamont, who is also co-founder of the A1 Action Group.

Mr Lamont said: "The A1 is one of our major cross-Border routes and many visitors to the area are surprised to find that, for much of the way through Berwickshire and beyond, it is still just a single carriageway. It is of huge economic significance, both to the local area and also the wider Scottish economy.

"I am aware of the strength of local opinion on this issue and the need for better transport links to Edinburgh and Newcastle.

"There is a real feeling in towns and villages such as Reston that these communities are being neglected and are becoming increasingly isolated. Better transport links for commuters and travellers would bring a real boost to the local economy and would provide an incentive for young people to stay in the area."