The A1 motorway between Leeming and Ripon interchange is set to be improved via a new innovative scheme.

This environmentally friendly project will see a 10-mile stretch of the southbound carriageway reconstructed. Around 100,000 tonnes of tarmac will be laid in a faster manner than usual, with 60% less waste going to landfill.

Highways England project manager Ted Chamberlain said: "We used this method last year on the northbound carriageway and it was a great success. The machine allows us to reconstruct bigger areas of road much faster. The wagons don't have to make anywhere near as many trips, and the new road lasts a lot longer, meaning we won’t need to repeat the process for up to 20 years.

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"This technology was rolled out in 2016 when we resurfaced a stretch of the A1 in Northumberland, and the lessons we learnt from that work gave us the chance to refine the process and provide an even smoother journey for drivers."

The technology – a machine called a cold repaver – grinds up the road to be recycled, combining it with fresh bitumen and cement before laying it back down immediately.

Resurfacing work will begin on Monday 29 July, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Two lanes will remain open in both directions for the duration of the scheme and a speed limit will be in place.

(CM/JG)