RESIDENTS were warned today that a new flyover on the A64 could be delayed by a year if they force a public inquiry.

The Highways Agency said the £3 million project at Bilbrough Top must be completed before they could close the notorious gap in the central reservation where so many accidents have happened.

Project manager David Phillips said the flyover, which will provide a safe crossing over the dual carriageway, could be completed by the spring or summer of 2003.

But if local objections were raised which could not be resolved, it would be necessary to hold a public inquiry and this would delay completion to the spring or summer of 2004.

Mr Phillips was speaking as an exhibition about the flyover scheme opened at the Buckles Inn.

Photomontages illustrated what the new structure would look like. The exhibition drew a steady stream of visitors.

The exhibition remains open until 8pm tonight and reopens between 10am and 1pm tomorrow.

Updated: 14:07 Friday, January 19, 2001