THE A64 would be largely dualled between York and Malton and a new flyover would be built under new £250 million plans.

A detailed breakdown of plans following the £15 billion road announcements in the Autumn Statement revealed the Hopgrove roundabout and the road east from there are in line for major works.

Robert Goodwill, junior transport minister and MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said £250 million would be spent addressing congestion at what he called the "pinch point" of the A64 at Hopgrove.

The planned "grade separation", expected to take the form of a flyover, will allow traffic heading to or from Scarborough on the A64 to avoid traffic travelling into York.

The improvements will also see the A64 dualled from Hopgrove towards Whitwell on the Hill. The exact distance dualled will depend how far the £250 million budget can be stretched.

 

 

Mr Goodwill said congestion at Hopgrove had not been solved by a £9 million redesign five years ago. He said: "Hopgrove is a real problem east-bound during the evening rush hour as the roundabout slows everyone down.

"Eastbound on Sunday evenings also presents an issue at the end of the Malton Bypass and also at Hopgrove. Grade separation will solve this straight away.

"The budget for this is a massive sum of up to £250 million which would then allow us to extend the dualling toward Malton.

"Our challenge, as the scheme is specified, is to get as much dualling as possible and to address some of the dangerous junctions such as those at Stockton-on-the-Forest and Flaxton."

The investment is one of 69 new road schemes announced by the Government, to come into construction by 2020/21.

Barry Dodd, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: "This is a significant investment but it is only the beginning. Our LEP together with local companies have lobbied hard for this funding.

"Improving the A64 from Scarborough, while addressing congestion around York and Harrogate are strategic priorities in our Economic Plan and this investment further supports the potential of the region."

York Press:

From left: Robert Goodwill, Barry Dodd and David Levene

Richard Shaw, managing director of Rillington-based manufacturer Ellis, said: "The A64 currently is prohibitive for us in terms of getting supplies in and our goods out.

"In peak season in the summer there are certain times of the day when we have to avoid using the road altogether.

"I very much welcome this investment as any improvement will make a big difference."

Peter Wilkinson, chairman of Scarborough Business Ambassador Forum said: "This is a quantum leap in terms of investment and the employment of highly skilled people in Scarborough. We’re 40 miles from York but it often feels like much more because of the A64."

Cllr David Levene, City of York Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "All investment is welcome, and we are looking forward to seeing the detail of the proposals, but it is disappointing that the change that would make the biggest improvement for York's road users - dualling the northern outer ring road - has once again been overlooked."

York MP Julian Sturdy said: "There will always be pinch points until we fully deliver a complete dualling along the full length of the A64, but it's important to make sure we are making continued improvements.

"We have got to see this as a great step forward for the economy of York and North Yorkshire, and a much needed safety improvement at junctions where we have seen a number of accidents over the years, including Hazel Bush crossroads near Stockton-on-the-Forest."