Aim to make A1 in South Lincolnshire a motorway to address safety concerns

There's a pledge to take a range of measures to address the high number of crashes on the A1 between Newark and Stamford which could include a stretch being upgraded to a motorway

The section between Long Bennington and South Witham saw sixty two accidents last year, including five deaths

A meeting took place on Wednesday at Marston near Grantham to discuss plans for improvements.

Between Long Bennington and South Witham, National Highway are aiming to close 11 gaps from the North to South sides to stop people crossing.

My view we've got to start looking at a major infrastructure project to upgrade it to a motorway

Richard Davies is Lincolnshire County Councillor for Highways and Transport:

He told us: "My view we've got to start looking at a major infrastructure project to upgrade it to a motorway - not only for the safety reasons but for the economic reasons - the congestion all the issues that create."

"If you look at other stretches of the A1 that have been upgraded - the impact that's made - not only to safety but also the economy are vast."

"I would like to get some kind of consensus - those of us that live and work and go to school and everything around here - what do we want the future to look like for our bit of the A1."

"This is the difficult bit - and I may utterly fail - to speak with perhaps not a single voice but a simultaneous voice."

The A1 falls under National Highways derestriction who must showcase the cost to benefit ratio when using taxpayers money for upgrades.

We have a number of fatal and serious collisions on the A1 in Lincolnshire

The A1 in Lincolnshire see's 82% more collisions than the A46 in Nottinghamshire.

A presentation was given by Phil Shaw, Route Manager at National Highways, who detailed different options for improving safety at the gaps between North and South were many people cross.

These varied from additional signs at around £95,000 to building a grade separated junction at £22million.

We also spoke to Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson is Head of Local Policing and Prevention in Lincolnshire:.

She told us she understands safety concerns.

"We come across some incredibly tragic cases - we have a number of fatal and serious collisions on the A1 in Lincolnshire."

"We work hard to try and reduce that but the impact for the families and friends of people who've lost loved ones is always at the forefront of our minds. "

A three week consultation on the gap closures planned between Long Bennington and South Witham begins on Monday at Stamford Library .

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