FIRMS in the Selby area have joined forces to back calls for a long-awaited bypass, and changes to an accident blackspot junction.

Business owners sent the petition to local MP John Grogan urging him to continue pressing roads bosses for the Osgodby relief road and safety measures at the A19/A63 junction.

The petition was organised by ward councillors David and Kay McSherry following a meeting with Highways Agency chiefs earlier this month.

At the meeting, roads bosses said the original £3.2 million price-tag for the scheme had risen to £5 million.

Coun Kay McSherry said: "It is excellent that we have got the support of businesses in the area. It will really help when John Grogan talks to the Highways Agency to show they are behind him.

"The situation as it is hinders their businesses enormously. It is not just the people of Osgodby that are affected. It is all the people who use the junction."

More than 25 businesses in the villages of Osgodby, Cliffe and Hemingbrough backed the petition and said the bypass and a left-hand turn only junction at the A19 should go ahead.

Philip Thornes, managing director of Thornes Coaches, in Hemingbrough, said his school bus drivers were forced to "run the gauntlet" every day while carrying hundreds of youngsters.

He said: "I think it is important that an alternative is provided to the current situation which is extremely dangerous.

"We carry in the region of 150 school children through that junction twice a day and it is really dangerous.

"It relies on the professionalism of our drivers to avoid serious accidents. I think that the bypass is the most favourable option.

"I do not think it should be restricted on account of finance. From a safety point-of-view it is essential that something is done."

A final figure for the scheme is set to be announced by roads chiefs at the end of this month.

If the project is set to cost less than £5 million then a final decision will be made in May and construction is likely to start in 2007 or 2008.

But if the estimate comes in above £5 million, the bypass could be in jeopardy because it would be in competition with major road building schemes on motorways and dual carriageways.

Updated: 09:51 Friday, March 24, 2006