Highways chiefs will decide within weeks whether or not to press straight on with a scheme to close a lethal gap on the A64.

Draft orders to close the gap in the central reservation at Colton Lane End, between York and Tadcaster, have met with 18 objections.

Now the Highways Agency must decide whether to press ahead with closure or call a public inquiry, which would inevitably delay closure by many months.

A spokesman said a decision was expected within a month.

The agency published the draft orders after initially saying it was impractical to close the gap without providing an alternative way for traffic from Colton and Bolton Percy to cross the A64 to get to York.

Two fatal accidents early last year, in which cars smashed into vehicles passing through the gap, prompted an Evening Press campaign to Close the Gaps, which won backing from hundreds of readers.

People said time and again that safety should come before convenience. Some of the support came from the motorists in local villages who would suffer some inconvenience, having to drive down to an overpass at Tadcaster to cross the A64 for the journey to York.

The agency did a U-turn by publishing the draft orders, at the same time announcing medium-term plans for a new interchange in the area which would eventually enable motorists to cross the A64 safely.

Bolton Percy, Colton and Steeton Parish Council opposed closure, but when the Evening Press conducted a random survey of 50 residents, a clear majority backed closure on safety grounds.

An agency spokesman said it was hoped that an announcement on a preferred scheme for the interchange could be made within the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, the agency has also received 20 objections to plans for a new interchange at Copmanthorpe which will eventually enable engineers to close that gap and switch off the notorious traffic lights - another scene of many accidents.

Another three objections have been made to compulsory purchase orders for land to facilitate the new interchange.

The agency says a public inquiry will have to be held into the Copmanthorpe proposals unless the objections can be resolved.

see COMMENT 'Dangerous gap must close now'

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