Campaigners for the Dualling of the A64 are expressing frustration with the lack of progress.
The government is facing calls to name a definite date for long-awaited schemes to cut congestion and improve safety on one of the North’s most notorious stretches of road after HIghways England admitted any major works are “not yet on the drawing board”.
A North Yorkshire County Council meeting heard almost two years after the Government announced a £300m upgrade of the A64 between York and Scarborough would be among schemes to be considered for funding after 2025, potential improvements remain clouded by uncertainty.
The calls for clarity come two months after HIghways England started gathering residents’ feedback over options to create a dual carriageway on the A64 between Hopgrove Junction and Barton-le-Willows.
Last year it was announced a final proposal would be submitted to the Department of Transport for consideration alongside 32 schemes across the country, with a final decision expected in 2024.
But currently there are no active plans for the dualling of the section between York and Scarborough or for a long called for scheme to bypass Rillington.
County Councillor David Jeffels says upgrading the road has been an issue throughout his 40 years as a councillor, he thinks the region is being fobbed off.
While the big upgrade projects on the A64 between York and Scarborough are currently not on the drawing board, Highways England says there are number of safety improvement schemes being delivered on the road.
Route manager Paul Mitchinson has told county councillors are there a number of safety improvements on the work schedule.
Councillor David Jeffels said talks had been ongoing about improving the A64 throughout his 40 years as a councillor, but the time had now come for the government to give a definite date for the works.
He said the government needed to commit to “proper engineering work rather than tinkering” to address the route’s poor accident record.
Councillor Jeffels said:
“Even if an eary go-ahead was given for the dual carriageway you’ve still got land acquisition, probably compulsory purchase of land and it being designed, so you are talking about two years at least to get the scheme approved on paper.
“I think we are being fobbed off. There is a growing feeling that if this road had been in the south of England these improvements would have been done quite a long time ago. Successive governments have recognised there is a need for it but it hasn't been followed up with finance to carry out the work.”
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