MP urges A64 upgrade as survey reveals unhappiness over route
A YORKSHIRE MP is calling on the Government to deliver a long-awaited A64 upgrade after a recent survey found almost 90 per cent of people are unhappy with the road.
Kevin Hollinrake said there is clearly “significant support for improvements“on the sixmile stretch of the road where it narrows to two lanes between the Hopgrove roundabout and Barton le Willows after the results of the Highways England survey were published.
The Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton said it is a notorious bottleneck and the road needs to be widened, so there are two lanes running in each direction.
According to Highways England, 87 per cent of people who took part in last year’s survey were unhappy or very unhappy with the road and
said improvements are needed.
Mr Hollinrake said: “The primary concerns of respondents were congestion, safety and experience using the road.
“Many respondents expressed the view that the only solution was to make the A64 a duel carriageway – an aim I strongly agree with and one I have been working on since 2015.
“I’ve requested a meeting with Transport Minister Baroness Vere to reiterate the need for certainty of action and look forward to working with local stakeholders, council leaders and my fellow North Yorkshire on MPs to ensure this remains at the top of the Government’s transport agenda.”
The Tory MP believes the Government will make a decision by 2024 and construction could begin within four years.
Highways England, which is a Government-owned company, said responses to the survey will be used “to develop options and the case for improvements to the road”.
It has already completed a feasibility study and conducted surveys to determine the environmental impact.