Stretching a massive 410 miles from London to Edinburgh in Scotland, the A1 holds the title of the UK's longest road. This scenic route winds its way through 17 counties and serves as a crucial transport link connecting major cities and towns across the nation. The journey kicks off at St. Paul's Cathedral in London and meanders through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland before reaching its final destination in the Scottish capital.
The A1 traces the path of the Great North Road, a historic coaching route with roots dating back to Roman times, which was once the main artery linking London to the north of England and Scotland. However, it's not always smooth sailing on this road. As you approach London and other major cities like Leeds and Newcastle, the A1 can become congested, adding to travel times. It passes through Hatfield, Stevenage, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent, Worksop, Doncaster, Pontefract, Wetherby, Ripon, Scotch Corner, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The road is also a vital route for transporting goods and for daily commuters in the north and Midlands. Continuous upgrades are carried out to improve safety and reduce congestion, including bypasses and junction improvements, reports the Express. Plans are afoot to modernise certain sections of the A1 to cater to the increasing demands of transport. A spokesperson for National Highways stated on their website: "The A1 takes the route of the Great North Road, the main highway connecting the capital cities of England and Scotland.".
