CLOSE those gaps - that was the overwhelming call today as the Evening Press launched its campaign to stop the carnage on the A64, near Tadcaster.

The demand for swift action follows the death of a woman motorist this week at the Colton Lane End junction - the second fatality there in less than a month.

The campaign to seal up the central reservation gaps on the A64 between Tadcaster and Askham Bryan won immediate backing from Selby MP John Grogan, police, grieving relatives, residents and councillors.

But Highways Agency engineers today argued that it was neither practical nor realistic, and would only move the problem elsewhere.

Mr Grogan said he would be looking for a clear timetable for closing the gaps at a meeting on March 6 with Highways Agency chiefs, police and councillors.

He said: "Safety must be paramount and where it is clear that closing a gap immediately will improve safety, it must be done.

"Commercial and convenience interests, although important, have to be secondary when lives are at stake."

Sarah Lea, 31, whose mother Margaret Green, from Leeds, was killed on Monday evening on the A64 said the road's accident record showed action was needed.

Mrs Green, of Haytonwood View, Aberford, died of head injuries after her Vauxhall Astra collided with the rear of a lorry waiting in the middle of the carriageway at Colton Lane End. "There obviously needs to be something done because it was an accident blackspot and a lot of accidents have occurred," Ms Lea said.

The Agency said today it was developing proposals to ban U-turns or right-turns at suitable central gaps. It hoped to publish draft traffic regulation orders identifying which gaps and manoeuvres in the next couple of months.

But Agency spokesman Jeremy Blackmore said a blanket closure was not practical or realistic. He said: "If we closed all the gaps, there would be an awful lot of traffic travelling a long way between Tadcaster and Askham Bryan, with all the associated problems of slow-moving agricultural vehicles on a 70mph dual carriageway.

"A lot of agricultural vehicles use the gaps, and it's a case of striking the right balance."

They would, however, be going ahead with new white lining and signing to raise awareness at the junctions within the next six to eight weeks.

He said the long-term solution of a flyover with associated slip roads for the Bilbrough area would go out to public consultation later this year, and could lead to a public inquiry.

An outraged Chris Metcalfe, county councillor for Tadcaster east, said there was absolutely no justification for leaving the central gaps open. He said the Agency's proposal to ban U-turns was nothing more than a "cosmetic exercise".

"It won't work and it can't be policed," said Coun Metcalfe.

"The new lining and signing will cost £70,000, but won't tackle the real problem."

Selby-based Traffic Constable Andrew Patchett, who is dealing with the latest fatal accident, said two lives could have been saved in the last few weeks if the gaps had been closed.

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