JOBS at a roadside restaurant near York could be at risk if a Highways Agency scheme designed to improve an accident blackspot is approved, the business's owners were arguing today.

Representatives of Compass, which owns the Little Chef at the Bilbrough Top service area, on the A64 between York and Tadcaster, were today expected to tell a week-long public inquiry of the "serious adverse impact" the Agency's plan would have on the restaurant.

The Agency is proposing to build a flyover across the A64 linking Redhill Field Lane to Colton Lane, allowing the closure of the central reservation gap, which has been blamed for numerous accidents.

But its scheme would also see access to the service area switched to a rear link road replacing the existing direct access from the A64.

Tony Raven, Compass's estates director, was today due to tell the inquiry, being held at Askham Bryan College, that the move would complicate the access to the Little Chef so badly that it would damage trade and could put the jobs of its 25 staff at risk.

"Access will be tortuous. If motorists make all the required decisions once and eventually get to the Little Chef it is not likely they will do so again as visitors wish for minimal detours from their journey routes," he said.

Compass is proposing an alternative scheme which would give direct access to the restaurant from a realigned Colton Lane.

Three other alternative schemes have been drawn up by Whitbreads, which owns the nearby Travel Inn, used car dealership Robinsons, and Selby councillor Brian Percival, whose home, Springfield House, would be affected by the scheme.

Representatives of Robinsons were set to tell the inquiry today of their alternative scheme which allows direct access to its forecourt.

The Highways Agency has argued that its proposal is superior to the alternatives.

Updated: 11:45 Thursday, September 13, 2001