Prob one of the most scenic roads in Britain.
I think that's what will happen to me. Revert to A1, A689 Bishop, Staindrop..
the problem is the lack of joining junctions for the A1M
how about - Barney to Piercebridge on the A67, Piercebridge upto the A68 on the straight ratrun that everyone uses, A68 to join the motorway and then whatever you'd normally do
avoids the A689 entirely which means no getting slowed down on the Bish Vegas bypass or at Thinford