IT is the end of the road for one of North Yorkshire's most dangerous junctions - thanks to you. The central reservation gap on the A64 at Bilbrough Top is to be closed, it was confirmed today.

We have been here before, of course. The Government first announced the gap was to go in June last year. Our celebrations proved premature, as a miscalculation over the cost of a flyover, combined with Byzantine road funding rules, meant the decision had to be reconsidered.

Now, however, roads minister David Jamieson has agreed that the case to seal the gap and build a flyover is compelling. We have a green light at last.

Alarmingly, the price tag has more than doubled to £11 million. Even so, the expense will be worth it. No longer will motorists face a frightening game of chance as they try to dodge across four of North Yorkshire's busiest carriageways. Lives will undoubtedly be saved.

The only shame is that it has taken so long. For years we have called for the gaps to close. Our campaign won the support of readers, MPs, councillors, coroners, the emergency services, doctors and, most poignantly of all, bereaved families. Yet still the gap remained open.

Earlier this month Colin and Chris Sanders, who lost their son Jamie in an accident at the blackspot, urged Mr Jamieson to build a flyover. They also handed over a dossier of letters and emails to the Evening Press backing their call.

This helped tip the decision in our favour. It is a victory for people power.

Unfortunately, the gap will stay open until January. Rules and regulations, you know.

We urge the Highways Agency to cone it off now, before bad weather combines with this terrible junction to claim more casualties.

Updated: 10:15 Wednesday, October 29, 2003