YORK drivers trying to get away this Easter could face delays on one of the area's busiest roads.

For while many roadworks are being suspended across the country over the Bank Holiday in an effort to keep traffic moving, some restrictions, including those on the A64 at Colton Lane and Bilbrough Top, will stay in place for safety reasons.

The work, on both the west and eastbound junctions of the dual carriageway between York and Tadcaster, will mean that there are two narrow lanes in each direction, with a mandatory 40mph speed limit.

The project there is aimed at closing the dangerous gaps in the road, ahead of the construction of a new £11 million flyover.

The improvements are due to be completed by spring of next year.

The AA has highlighted the A64 route to Yorkshire's East Coast as one of the country's biggest likely traffic hotspots this holiday, while the RAC has pinpointed Scarborough, at the coastal end of the busy road, as one of the potential busiest spots.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, the hard shoulder closure on the A1 (M), between Walshford and Dishforth, will be lifted from today until April 13 to deal with increased traffic.

The AA has also warned that the A1 northbound is likely to be one of the busiest roads in the country.

The Highways Agency says it will keep as many lanes as possible open on England's motorways and trunk roads to help free up holiday traffic.

Transport Minister David Jamieson said: "To help keep traffic moving in the busy Easter period, the Highways Agency has lifted as many roadworks as possible to help drivers get to their destinations more freely.

"Drivers can make their journey easier by planning their route and checking weather forecasts and travel news for possible delays before their journey."

AA Roadwatch said about 18 million drivers will take to the roads over the Easter weekend, and was calling on motorists to make sure their vehicles were up to the journey.

Advice includes checking cooling fans, looking out for corrosion from road salt and dirt collected over the winter months, and always checking the whereabouts of car keys - the third most popular reason for breakdown call-outs.

Updated: 08:32 Thursday, April 08, 2004