At the end of 2014 , Cameron and Osborne ( election around the corner) made a rare visit to NE and announced that £290m was set aside and waiting to be spent on 13 miles of A1 dualling( Morpeth to Ellingham)
Brownie points assumed - “ get on with it”, completion in 6 years .
7 1/2 years later , not passed planning , now plans being scrutinised by Secretary of State ( even if govt intervention needed , why sec of state- surely minister of transport ?) Decision due Dec 2022 . When decision was set at Jan 22 , even if agreed , there would be 6 months cooling off period . So now even if agreed , no shovel will be lifted until July 23 . 8 1/2 years then 2 minimum til completed.
Crossrail , was started in 2014 . 15 billion pounds. 78 miles of train track , over 20 of which in new tunnels under a city- plus stations and infrastructure. Completed 2021 , just one year over expected six.
My bet is an excuse will be found to drop our 13 miles of road widening