Alicia Kearns MP held a public meeting for Great Ponton residents to discuss what further action can be taken to improve the safety of the A1.
National Highways and Local Councillor Charlotte Vernon co-chaired the meeting arranged to hear first-hand the concerns of the 61 residents who attended. The objective was for Alicia, Charlotte and National Highways to understand the preferences of residents, in the hope that action can be secured to close some or all of the central reservation crossings at Great Ponton.
Concerns raised by residents included:
- The speed of drivers on the A1,
- HGVs, caravans, equestrian vehicles and tractors using the central crossings,
- The lack of gaps in traffic during busy periods allowing Great Ponton residents to join onto the A1,
- The short length of slip roads,
- The lack of clear signage,
- Blind spots off the A1,
- Vehicles speeding through Great Ponton, and
- High insurance premiums as a result of living in an accident blackspot.
A straw poll showed the majority of residents had a shared preference for what action should be taken at the crossings, as well as a desire for a trial of a reduction of the speed limit to 50mph would improve the safety of this stretch of the A1.
Following Alicia’s petitioning of National Highways, in September 2025 the closure of thirteen A1 central reservation crossings was completed. This followed the A1 safety upgrades Alicia secured between South Witham and little Ponton in November 2024, including resurfacing and refreshing road markings, improved signage, clearing vegetation and carrying out layby maintenance work.
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, said:
“I was relieved to secure the closure of the first thirteen A1 central reservation crossings last year, however there is still more to be done.
“It was incredibly valuable to hear directly from residents in Great Ponton about their priorities and concerns. Together with National Highways, we will take forward residents’ wishes and put forward their arguments to Government in the hope of securing further safety improvements. There are no easy, quick, or cheap options – but I will persevere and keep pushing for an outcome that makes everyone in Great Ponton, and all those using the A1, safer.”
