Parish councils are divided on plans to close a lethal gap on the A64 between York and Tadcaster.

The Highways Agency is seeking to shut a gap in the central reservation at Colton Lane End, following two fatal accidents and the Evening Press Close the Gaps campaign.

Last night Bilbrough parish councillors welcomed the idea, but called for another gap next to McDonalds, at nearby Bilbrough Top, to be closed at the same time.

However, members of Bolton Percy, Colton and Steeton Parish Council want the gaps left open. And the agency said today that if there was significant and substantial opposition to closure, the plan could be dropped or a public inquiry called which would delay the scheme.

Coun Andrew Pearcy, of Bolton Percy Parish, said: "Since we heard about this idea, we canvassed local opinion and the majority of people said they didn't want the gap closing.

"The gap is there for a reason and it's used. There are accidents all over the roads.

"Local people are concerned that if it was closed, more traffic would come through Colton to get to Copmanthorpe to get on to the A64 to York.

"When I've seen the campaign to close the gaps, I find it hard that someone from Osbaldwick or Malton can pass an opinion on something that has nothing to do with them."

The chairman of Bilbrough Parish Council, Coun Andrew Bellwood, said: "We've waited long enough for something to be done and bearing in mind the long-term commitment, this must be a welcome step.

"But I can't see the difference in closing two gaps and closing three gaps and including the Bilbrough Top gap."

Dave Phillips, from the Highways Agency, who visited both parish councils and will be visiting Appleton Roebuck and Acaster Selby Parish Council, said the Colton Lane gap had been chosen because it had had the most accidents.

Bilbrough Top had had fewer accidents and another concern was slow-moving farm vehicles having to travel farther up the road, before the planned major works at Copmanthorpe and Tadcaster were completed.

PC Dave Brown, of Tadcaster Police, who was also at both council meetings said: "As far as I'm concerned, closing the Colton Lane End gap will remove half the accidents."

Peter Spencer, from North Yorkshire County Council, said Colton Lane End was the eighth worst accident blackspot in the county.

Closing the gap was only an interim measure. The Highways Agency hoped to later create an interchange at Bilbrough Top and Colton Lane End and alter Tadcaster Bar to create room for more traffic.

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