James Derrick
HE have a new website which has removed much of the detail of the previous project pages:
https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/a1-morpeth-to-ellingham-dualling/

HE says the Development Consent Order (DCOs) was submitted then accepted on 04 Aug, with 'up to six months' to assess.

National Infrastructure Planning states the process is longer - 3 month Pre-examination, up to 6 month Examination, then Recommendation and Decision within 3 months.
Does this suggest 12 months elapsed time, not 6 months?
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/north-east/a1-in-northumberland-morpeth-to-ellingham/?ipcsection=overview

That suggests 2021-08 when contracting can start, then contract award, then and only then construction can start.

2022 Start of works perhaps?