by Kevin SmithHIGHWAYS chiefs have given hope to safety campaigners fighting for the closure of gaps in the central reservation of the A64 between York and Tadcaster.

At a meeting at Tadcaster last night, Highways Agency officers told Selby MP, John Grogan, they would consider proposals from the public to close the gaps.

The agency has already announced plans to bar U-turns and certain right-turns following the Evening Press's 'Close The Gaps' campaign.

Mr Grogan said: "The Highways Agency said it is formally consulting on U-turns. It would receive and consider other suggestions including closing the gaps.

"At last we have an acknowledgement from the Highways Agency that their measures on U-turns are not the final word and that they will consider the representations I and the Evening Press readers have been making.

"If we can keep up the pressure there is a possibility of further measures coming from them."

Mr Grogan handed over more than 200 coupons, signed by readers, in support of the Evening Press campaign. Further letters will be passed on to the Agency's as part of its consultation process.

But North Yorkshire county councillor (Tadcaster East) Chris Metcalfe, viewed last night's meeting differently.

"They did not seem to take on board that any more needed to be done than at the moment. To me that is totally unacceptable," he said.

"At the moment they are adamant they will not close them because they would have to go to a public inquiry.

"I proposed they seriously consider closing Colton Lane End to test the waters but they did not even want to know about that.

"I can understand the difficulties of closing all the gaps but still think they could address the gaps where many accidents have occurred over the years."

Villagers at Bilbrough, near Tadcaster, have supported moves to close the gaps. Parish council vice-chairman Andrea Spencer attended the meeting.

"They said the reason they had difficulty closing the gaps was there had been objections to closing even some of the smaller gaps," she said.

"The main message was it was a useful and informative meeting and we hope it will have started a communication between all the parties involved so we can work towards a safer A64."

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