York A64 underpass to open "soon"

The underpass and an associated link road are part of a multi-million pound scheme to remove traffic lights on the dual carriageway and close a gap in the central reservation.

Motorists from Copmanthorpe and other villages to the south of York will be able to cross under the A64 safely to get to the Tadcaster Road route into York and also the eastbound carriageway. At the moment, drivers are having to use the York Outer Ring Road flyover to get across the A64.

Some have been questioning the length of time it is taking to complete the scheme, suggesting that work is running late. Peter Northfield, from Copmanthorpe, wrote to the Evening Press earlier this week to ask: "When will it be completed?"

He said the contractors RMC had said on their website that the link road and underpass should be completed by late August, but three weeks into September there was still much to be done and there were few workmen in evidence.

But a Highways Agency spokeswoman denied the scheme was running late, saying it had always been contracted to finish in September or October.

"We are anticipating completion at the end of September," she said, adding that more details would be given after a meeting planned with contractors in the next few days.

Meanwhile, bus company chiefs are still waiting to find out if they can safely get two buses past each other in the underpass.

The Evening Press revealed last month how First and Yorkshire Coastliner were concerned that the underpass might be too narrow, and their buses might have to avoid using it. But engineers insisted the road was wide enough for two buses to pass each other safely.

A First spokesman said today that the company was still uncertain of the position, and hoped to be able to take two buses through the underpass before it officially opens so it can make a final decision. A Coastliner spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, September 20, 2002