What’s in a name…?

Members of North East Says Yes!, a group calling for debate on the benefits of the North East Devolution Deal and the Northern Powerhouse, have welcomed calls for the A1 to be renamed.

Campaigners for the renaming of the A1 to the M1, including from the North East Combined Authority (NECA), cite its potential economic benefits, such as making it clear that the North East is open for business.

North East Says Yes! founding member, Jeremy Middleton, said: “One of the key objectives of the Northern Powerhouse is to put the North of England on the map for business and investment. Renaming the A1, once the upgrade to motorway status is complete, could help put the North East on a footing to compete with every region in the UK.

“Powers that will be granted to the North East as part of the Devolution Deal will include transport and infrastructure budgets, so it is vital that we start to discuss these ideas now.”