The Prime Minister has placed upgrading the A1 north of Newcastle at the heart of a £15bn “roads revolution”. The plans will feature in next month’s Autumn Statement, David Cameron has confirmed.

Despite pressure mounting on them, the SNP have so far refused to make any commitment to fully dual the A1 in Scotland. This is despite the First Minister speaking in April of the importance of improving links between the central belt and the North East of England. John Lamont MSP said: “Once again this is an encouraging announcement from the UK Government which shows that upgrading the A1 remains one of their top priorities.

“Despite increasing pressure over recent months the SNP are still refusing to match the UK Government’s commitment to invest in the A1. Investment in this road would reduce journey times, provide more jobs and improve transport links for businesses, in the Borders.

“The thousands of Borders residents who use the A1 every year are calling out for this road to be dualled, yet the SNP continue to ignore them.

“Just a few months ago, Alex Salmond promised the creation of an ‘economic powerhouse’ between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle. This SNP Government now needs to put its money where its mouth is.

John Lamont added: “Whilst other roads in Scotland continue to see further investment, the SNP continue to ignore significant cross border routes like the A1. It is frankly an embarrassment that the main route linking the Borders and the North East of England to Edinburgh will not be upgraded.”