A SCHEME to improve a notorious accident blackspot on the A64 near York will create a "tortuous access route" to a nearby service area, the owners of a travel hotel have said.

Representatives of Whit-bread, which owns the Travel Inn at the Bilbrough Top service area, between York and Tadcaster, also told a public inquiry yesterday that its alternative to the Highways Agency's proposed scheme for the site will cost less and have less impact on the environment.

The agency is proposing to build a £3.9 million flyover across the A64 to link Redhill Field Lane to Colton Lane, allowing the closure of a controversial turning gap in the central reservation which has been the cause of numerous accidents.

But its plans would also see the existing direct accesses from the A64 to the service area closed off and switched to a rear link road to improve safety.

Whitbread's alternative bid also includes a flyover, but would realign the A64 further northwards and would see the existing accesses to the Little Chef, the service area, used car dealership Robinsons of Colton and Colton Lane linked to a new two-way service road running along the front of the service area and separated from the A64.

David Pearson, Whitbread's transport expert, told the inquiry at Askham Bryan College that the company's alternative "provides the same level of road safety benefits as the proposed scheme but at the same time minimises the loss of accessibility to the hotel and service area".

He said the plan would give drivers a more easily understood route to the service area compared to the "tortuous access route" provided by the agency scheme.

It would also mean there would be no need to build a new road within the green belt, as Colton Lane's junction with the A64 would not need to be closed. The company also argued its scheme would cost less.

Three other alternative schemes have also been presented to the inquiry, by Compass, which owns the Little Chef restaurant, used car dealership Robinsons of Colton, and Selby councillor Brian Percival, whose home, Springfield House, would be affected by the scheme.

The agency has argued that its scheme is superior to all the alternatives put forward and that the overall benefits far outweigh any disbenefits.

The inquiry is due to conclude later next week and independent inspector David Woodrow will later make a recommendation to Transport Secretary Stephen Byers.

Updated: 10:55 Saturday, September 15, 2001