The Liberal Democrats have been heavily criticised for leaking confidential information from a private, Department of Transport, briefing as part of the current feasibility process over the, long-awaited for, A1 dualling with hopes building that an announcement will be made by the Chancellor, George Osborne, next month. This follows comments made by the Liberal Democrats representation who attended the meeting, including the revealing of figures which suggesting that the cost "could reach £1.2bn"
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Founder and Director of the Dual the A1 campaign said; "I am disappointed that the Lib Dems felt the need to rush to the press with information from the confidential meeting which we had with the Department of Transport on Monday about the progress of the feasibility Study for dualling the A1 North of Newcastle. The department’s Highways team are currently in the process of finalising a detailed feasibility report and due diligence on what is a massive infrastructure project which will be a major boost to the North East economy if we get the green light from the Chancellor on the 3rd December.
Political opportunism should never override the need to be professional and we must avoid destabilising the process. The projected numbers were given to us in confidence in advance of Ministers having a chance to review them and make a decision on which of many competing schemes they will choose to invest in this year. The high figures quoted are not an accurate reflection of likely cost since they factor in at this stage all unforeseen risks, such as environmental delays, most of which are likely to be resolved as the detailed planning progresses, assuming the Chancellor approves the scheme in the Autumn Statement. In anticipation of a positive outcome, the Dual the A1 team are starting to work with environmental bodies to look at potential risks, so that we are prepared. ” This latest development is part of a growing row with outgoing MP, Alan Beith and the Liberal Democrats being accused of political opportunism and trying to "claim the credit" over the A1. A spokesman for the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin said;."Anne-Marie Trevelyan has done a great job making the case for the dualling of the A1. It is premature to start floating figures around ahead of the autumn statement but after 41 yrs in parliament it is a bit late for Alan Beith and the Liberal Democrats to start claiming credit for this significant infrastructure development."