The A1, which is the UK’s longest road, covers around 410 miles from London in the south to Edinburgh in Scotland in the north, passing through 17 counties in total
Spanning an impressive 410 miles from London’s iconic St Paul’s Cathedral to the historic city of Edinburgh in Scotland, the UK’s longest road slices through a whopping 17 counties, serving as a lifeline for numerous towns and cities along its path.
Starting in the bustling heart of London, this scenic route winds its way through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland before culminating in the Scottish capital. According to the National Highways website: “The A1 takes the route of the Great North Road, the main highway connecting the capital cities of England and Scotland.
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“The A1 covers 410 miles and is the longest numbered road in the UK. The importance of this connection is why it was given the number ‘1’ when it became Britain’s first numbered road in 1921.
“The A1 not only connects the UK, but is also part of a key route providing access to international destinations. It links several airports, including Heathrow and Stansted, as well as vital trade ports such as Felixstowe.
“Traversing 17 counties and bolstering countless businesses that thrive along its stretch, the A1 stands as a crucial artery for commuters, hauliers, and holidaymakers alike.”
The A1, tracing the historic Great North Road – a former coaching route dating back to Roman times – once served as the primary connection between London, northern England and Scotland. Today, it remains a crucial transport artery.
However, traffic congestion is a common sight, particularly near London and major cities like Leeds and Newcastle, often resulting in extended travel times.
The route passes through key locations, including Hatfield, Stevenage, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent, Worksop, Doncaster, Pontefract, Wetherby, Ripon, Scotch Corner, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The A1 serves as an essential corridor for goods transportation and daily commuters across the Midlands and northern England, reports the Express.
Ongoing upgrades aim to enhance safety and ease congestion, with recent improvements including bypasses and junction enhancements.
Further modernisation projects are planned to accommodate increasing transportation demands.