James Derrick
HMG / Treasury has pushed the decision back another 6 months - 18 months now! 

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/yorkshire-and-north-east/a1-morpeth-to-ellingham-dualling/

Quote: "The DCO decision is now due on or before 5 December 2022."

Looks like the Northumberland Line, and possibly even the AVR will be complete before the A1 is dualled to Ellingham!