Highways chiefs are planning new safety measures to help reduce the carnage at an A64 accident blackspot.

But they still will not tackle the root cause of many of the crashes - by immediately closing a gap in the central reservation.

The Evening Press reported yesterday that villagers were demanding action to improve safety near Bilbrough Top, between York and Tadcaster, following several more accidents in the area.

The latest involved an unmarked police car which was involved in a collision after trying to go through the gap last Friday.

Local residents want a series of measures, including overhead lighting and traffic calming, backed up by speed cameras, to improve safety until a flyover can be built in the area.

Now Highways Agency area manager, Peter Moffatt, has revealed that the Agency is looking at "further interim safety measures for this section of the A64," which he says would be implemented during 2001.

The agency is developing a route management strategy for the A64 and seminars are to be held this week, in Scarborough tomorrow and in York on Thursday, to obtain the views of interested parties.

At this stage he was not able to indicate precisely what measures were being considered, but he said they would not include closure of the gap.

The Evening Press has been campaigning for immediate closure because of the dangers created by vehicles passing through.

"The Highways Agency has no plans to close the gap at Bilbrough Top until the new junction has been built," he said.

"An exhibition into proposals for the junction at Bilbrough Top will be held at the Buckles Inn on Friday and Saturday and people are urged to attend, to give the Highways Agency their views."

Updated: 10:34 Tuesday, January 16, 2001