Goodbye to misery on A64

The Highways Agency has confirmed that the hugely unpopular measure will not be reintroduced when work resumes on the project after Easter.

The contraflow, brought in for the 64-week project to build a new underpass, has been widely blamed for massive congestion problems, highlighted in the Evening Press Get York Moving campaign.

Agency chiefs had already pledged to fully open the road in time for the Easter holidays. All four lanes will be open by next Thursday's teatime rush hour.

Any remaining work, after Easter, will be undertaken using lane closures instead of the contraflow.

It is hoped the moves will minimise delays for drivers.

Highways Agency area project manager David Phillips said: "We appreciate that drivers have been very patient about the delays here since work began.

"We hope that by replacing the contraflow, we will reduce congestion even further. Drivers should continue to take care through the works area, as lane closures could be introduced at any point on either the eastbound or westbound carriageway to enable works to be completed."

It is understood that there would be no more than two lane closures at any one time, ensuring a single lane of traffic in either direction.

That has delighted bus company First, which blames the A64 works for service delays.

Peter Edwards, commercial operator, said: "We are pleased the contraflow is being removed.

"We will be watching the situation carefully and monitoring our services to see how they perform."

Peter Evely, head of Highway Regulation at City of York council, added: "This is great news - and a result of extremely hard work on the part of the council and the Highways Agency to minimise disruption.

"We had originally expected to have to reintroduce the contraflow after the Easter break, but this is no longer the case.

"This will be good news for motorists, who should now see a reduction in

congestion."

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, March 23, 2002