Improving living conditions for people living close to East of England sections of the A1 is a central aim of the Department for Transport's (DfT) strategic study into the region's mobility needs.
One of six strategic studies designed to inform Highways England's Road Investment Strategy 2, the report acknowledges some sections are running 'unacceptably close to residential areas'.
This is leading to unpleasant environmental impacts for the local population, particularly in terms of air quality and noise.
This study focuses on the 99km-long southern extent of the A1, which runs northwards from junction 1 at the intersection with the M25 to the vicinity of Peterborough, with a non-motorway length sandwiched between two A1(M) sections as the prime target for improvement.
The DfT identifies key stretches as being the worst performing along the entire route, with average speeds falling below 40 mph as the result of 'inconsistent and, in places, incoherent' road layouts that force traffic into multiple bottlenecks in both directions.
There is also a high level of collisions, which the DfT sees as likely to rise further as congestion worsens.
As for solutions, the overall focus is on physical interventions - such as realignments, re-routings and new road sections – designed to allow traffic to flow more smoothly. The sustainability-oriented Campaign for Better Transport would prefer to see a combination of pinch points and safety improvements, alongside better public transport options.
Expected increases in the regional population are a major factor driving change, with the pressure already such that neighbouring local authorities are joining forces to deliver new homes.
Prime examples are Luton and Central Bedfordshire; and Harlow and East Hertfordshire – the latter two of which are planning a series of new villages along their shared boundary.
For the long-term, the DfT is promising to look at the case for eventually upgrading the central section of the southern A1 to motorway standard.
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