Roads Minister Lord Whitty has given his backing for safety improvements on a dangerous stretch of the A64 at Golden Hill.

And more changes could be on the way for the road between York and Malton.

The Golden Hill stretch, and particularly its "crawler" lane, has been the scene of several fatal accidents in recent years.

Only last week, the hill claimed the lives of two Ryedale teenagers, and in September a mother and daughter died after a crash on the hill.

Ryedale MP John Greenway wrote to Lord Whitty demanding information over plans for the death-trap stretch of road.

And the Minister replied to confirm that the "crawler" lane is to be closed next spring - ahead of the outcome of any further review of safety on the A64.

He also revealed that the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions are looking at the feasibility of improvements to the stretch of the A64 from the dual-carriageway section at Whitwell to the Malton bypass.

Public consultation is expected to begin next year, Lord Whitty added.

He continued: "I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to improving safety on all roads, and, as you are aware, the Highways Agency has been actively seeking ways to address the poor accident record at Golden Hill.

"Work will start in the spring to remove the climbing lane, after which the road will revert to a conventional two-lane single carriageway with improved lining and signing on the hill and at the western end of Malton Bypass."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency confirmed that a major consultation process is planned for improvements to the A64.

"We are at a very early stage and there really is no more that I can say at the moment," the spokesman added.

Mr Greenway said: "I am delighted that the Minister has agreed that the Golden Hill improvements should be done ahead of the outcome of any further review."

Malton Police Sergeant Andrew Stubbings welcomed the news.

He said: "Obviously we would welcome any measures that improve the A64 or any of the region's roads. It is well known that the A64 has a bad safety record and so any moves to improve that, and reduce the amount of pain and misery caused by road accidents, have got to be a good thing."

AA spokesman Gideon Fireman also welcomed the safety improvements.