BBC documentary shines a light on A1 upgrade

We Are England filmed work taking place on the A1 Scotswood to North Brunton improvement for an episode under the theme Serving England.

The upgrade, which has seen an additional lane added to the A1 in each direction between junctions 74 and 79 around Newcastle, will provide economic benefits for business users and freight, with improved links between locations of economic importance, such as Team Valley Employment Zone, Metro Centre and Newcastle Airport.

Our delivery partners Costain and staff from a number of sub-contractors, including Chevron Traffic Management, Aggregate Industries and Extrudakerb, were filmed for the programme.

The episode follows Shaun Lee, part of the team from Chevron Traffic Management that closes the road, David Lynn, Costain’s Senior Construction Manager on the scheme, and Costain environmentalist Becka Bessant whose role it is to make sure environmental rules are being followed to protect the natural world while construction takes place.

National Highways Project Manager Sal Hopkinson said:

“The programme will give viewers a valuable insight into the work involved in delivering an improvement of this magnitude, what goes on at night when most people are asleep, and the challenges we face in keeping our customers on the move. 

“We were delighted to take part and hope people get an appreciation of the challenges of a typical night shift.”

Costain Senior Project Manager Richard Webster said:

"The dedication of our people to the work they do to help improve people's lives could not be better demonstrated than by the vital improvements being made on the A1.

“We hope the programme gives viewers a unique chance to see what goes on behind the scenes of a major infrastructure project, as well as the tireless work of our all-important night-shift workers.”

We Are England can be seen on BBC One in the North East and Cumbria area at 7.30pm tonight and on iPlayer shortly after.