HIGHWAYS chiefs are being urged to think again about improving the safety record of a notorious stretch of the A64 between York and Tadcaster.

John Pearcy, who farmed at Steeton Hall, Colton, before retiring to Bishopthorpe, believes an oval roundabout at nearby Bilbrough Top would be a better long-term solution than the Highways Agency's suggestion of a flyover with associated slip roads.

Mr Pearcy, a former Selby district councillor, said a roundabout stretching between Colton Lane End and the Redhill Field Lane junction would slow down traffic on the A64, allowing motorists safer access to Colton and Bilbrough or to businesses alongside the dual carriageway.

He said: "My family have used this junction since moving to Colton in 1967 and we are fully aware of its notoriety and danger, now very much increased by the recent development nearby including a car sales garage, motel, filling station, McDonalds, an American diner, a further vehicle agency being built and the Little Chef.

Mr Pearcy said there were no signs to indicate where drivers heading for these developments should turn. "It is just amazing after witnessing what happens at these junctions that the toll is not higher."

He said a lot of heavy lorry traffic used Colton Lane to get to-and-from Ibbotson's potato merchants, whose own drivers were instructed not to cross the A64 to join the eastbound carriageway, but to turn left towards Tadcaster and then turn around using the flyover there.

But a sign banning other lorry drivers from turning right from Colton Lane End had disappeared some months ago.

"Thrown in with all of this is farm traffic, and there's more and more of that because of the increasing reliance on contractors these days."

Mr Pearcy said: "I can understand the Highways Agency's idea of a flyover, but they're causing more and more problems because the A64 isn't a motorway. I personally would reduce the maximum speed limit to 60mph because I think 70mph is far too fast.

He felt a flyover with slip roads would be extremely expensive and result in more land being lost than if a roundabout was created.

"This matter should have been resolved before planning permission was given for all the redevelopment at Colton Lane End and work carried out during the £50 million upgrading of the A64 in 1990-94, when more money was available than seems to be the case now."

* You can support our Close The Gaps campaign by completing the above coupon and returning it to Newsdesk, The Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, YO1 1YN, by first post on Friday, March 6.

Please let us know if you have personal experience of the dangers of the A64.

Completed coupons will be presented to Selby MP John Grogan before a meeting that evening with the Highways Agency, local councillors and police.

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