WORK is set to begin on major safety improvements to the A19.

A section of the road will close for up to ten weeks while motorists are diverted through a village near Selby.

The £1.8 million project will see a three-lane, 70-metre roundabout built at the junction of the A19 and the A63 near Barlby, with that section of the road closed from midnight on Sunday.

When finished, two lanes of the roundabout will filter from the A63 and three from the A19 in both directions, in an effort to slow motorists down and improve road safety, following a number of accidents in the area in recent years.

North Yorkshire County Council originally intended to carry out the roadworks last year, but the plans were put on hold due to land acquisition issues. The council website shows the roadworks are expected to be on site until July 28, and motorists will be diverted through Barlby until the roundabout is complete.

A study carried out by the council showed more than 17,200 vehicles used the A19 on an average weekday, with up to 750 vehicles an hour in the morning rush hour and 901 heading towards Selby at about 4pm.