In praise of the new widened A1(M) at Dishforth -Leeming Bar

[jamei303]

After years of contraflows and average 50 limits it's finally been completed (northbound anyway, they're just finishing off the southbound side). I have to say it probably contains the smoothest, levellest motorway I've been on, hardly any dips or bumps that you normally find even in new roads. I was totally gliding along.

Not sure how long that will last but it's nice to find a decent job has been done. It has those concrete central reservation barriers too that all new motorways will have, which is great to block out oncoming headlights.

So well done Highways Agency, or whatever sub-contractors where responsible.

[Davidonly]

The results I have yet to see, I hope they are worth the mind-numbing and mostly pointless 50 zone SPECS fiasco that we have had to endure while the work was done.

I 'rediscovered' the A19 after one 1am run oop north, so bored I learned to steer with my knees plodding along at 50 with NOTHING BUT ME FOR MILES! No other cars, no workforce just a sign saying 'further road works ahead' and 50 mph enforced WHYYYYYYYYYYYY? !!!

Is it not beyond the wit of the HA to SWITCH off cameras when they are not required?? How long wil it be before we have actual 'thinking' applied to the UK road system?

[jamei303]

It was the narrow temporary lanes that necessitated the 50 limit at all times. Without that it'd be inevitable that an endless succession of numpties trying to overtake artics would have the cones all over the carriageway.

[mmm-five]

It was wonderfully empty on my way to Barnard Castle from London on Thursday evening, and the petrol station I stopped at had plenty of petrol & no queue, although the satnav kept telling me to turn left ONTO the A1!!!

[jock mcsporran]

Went both ways on it at the weekend. Huge improvement and flowed pretty well.

[Flawless Victory]

jamei303 said:

After years of contraflows and average 50 limits it's finally been completed (northbound anyway, they're just finishing off the southbound side). I have to say it probably contains the smoothest, levellest motorway I've been on, hardly any dips or bumps that you normally find even in new roads. I was totally gliding along.

I can assure you that it's not smooth nor level when you're driving a truck even with an air suspended cab on air suspension.

jamei303 said:

It has those concrete central reservation barriers too that all new motorways will have, which is great to block out oncoming headlights.

Not when you're sitting 10ft in the air driving a truck, they don't.

[jamei303]

Flawless Victory said:

jamei303 said:

After years of contraflows and average 50 limits it's finally been completed (northbound anyway, they're just finishing off the southbound side). I have to say it probably contains the smoothest, levellest motorway I've been on, hardly any dips or bumps that you normally find even in new roads. I was totally gliding along.

I can assure you that it's not smooth nor level when you're driving a truck even with an air suspended cab on air suspension.

Take the A167 then please.

Flawless Victory said:

jamei303 said:

It has those concrete central reservation barriers too that all new motorways will have, which is great to block out oncoming headlights.

Not when you're sitting 10ft in the air driving a truck, they don't.

I should think maladjusted headlights are the last thing you have to think about sitting that high up. Probably why most truck headlights are maladjusted.

[Richspec]

Flawless Victory said:

I can assure you that it's not smooth nor level when you're driving a truck even with an air suspended cab on air suspension.

Nothing special when in a van either? Was most dissapointed after the OP waxing lyrical!