YORK businessman David Tuckett has driven more than 800,000 miles over the past 20 years.

But he reckons he has never come across a more dangerous stretch of road than the A64 between York and Tadcaster.

And Mr Tuckett, a business account executive with a multi-national company, has no time for Highways Agency officers who have said it is impractical to close dangerous gaps in the central reservation at this stage.

"The person or persons responsible for allowing this to happen should be ashamed of themselves," he said.

"And I hold them personally responsible for the needless deaths and injuries caused as a result of their ineptitude in allowing it to happen, and their gross negligence in allowing it to continue.

"In my considered opinion, the stretch of A64 between Bramham Crossroads on the A64 and Copmanthorpe junction is the most dangerous stretch I have ever driven along."

Mr Tuckett, from Nether Poppleton, is just one of hundreds of readers who have written to back the Evening Press campaign to get the gaps closed.

"Well done for your campaign," he said. "You have my and many other people's wholehearted support."

Other campaign supporters include the head of Tadcaster Grammar School, David Impey, who fears for the safety of pupils travelling by bus to school each day along the A64 if the gaps remain open, and police, who have had to deal with a series of accidents caused by vehicles passing through the gaps.

Coupons and petitions signed by readers were handed over to Highways Agency officials last Friday night by Selby MP John Grogan at a meeting in Tadcaster.

Mr Grogan said afterwards that the agency, which is currently proposing to ban U-turns and certain right turns through the gaps, had now agreed to consider calls by the public for the closure of all gaps.

He felt that if the pressure could be maintained, there was a possibility of further measures being announced.

But another campaigner, Tadcaster East County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, viewed it differently, feeling that the officials remained determined not to go any further than the current proposals.

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