FUNDING for major road improvement schemes across North Yorkshire has been secured as the region welcomes a £66.6 million cash injection.

Dualling of the A1079 near Barmby Moor and Wilberfoss, and a new roundabout on the A169 near Malton are just two projects to have been boosted by the latest round of the Government's Local Growth Deal funding.

The cash has been awarded to winning bids from Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), with both the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP and the Leeds City Region LEP receiving funding.

A total of £12.1 million was awarded to the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP yesterday in support of a number of projects aimed at supporting economic growth, mainly focussed around infrastructure.

Of the funding, £8 million has been allocated to the dualling of the A1079 near Barmby Moor and Wilberfoss in support of a £14 million project by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, aimed at increasing capacity and improving journey times in a bid to boost access to employment and education in York and Hull.

Design work on the scheme is currently underway , with construction due to start in 2017/18.

Cllr Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "We are pleased that the LEP has recognised the importance of the A1079 improvement scheme and has approved a significant portion of its overall allocation to ensure this project goes forward."

A further allocation of £2.1 million will be awarded to help bring forward the new Livestock Market and Argi-Business Parks at Old Malton.

Developers of the scheme have been working Ryedale District Council and the LEP to secure funding for a new roundabout on the A169 and other infrastructure to provide access to the twin employment sites.

The Government funding has been allocated in recognition of more than 500 new jobs that will created at the sites and an expected further 700 as a result of new business activity at the sites, as well as the safeguarding of existing jobs through the relocation of Malton’s Livestock Market.

Cllr Linda Cowling, Leader of Ryedale District Council, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the funding bid has been successful. It was vital for the future of a livestock market in Ryedale.

"This success demonstrates just what can be achieved when the Council, land owners and the LEP work together to promote a project."

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP funding will also support junction improvements at the A1 and A59 near Knaresborough to increase capacity to enable future housing and employment growth between York and Harrogate.

The Leeds City Region LEP, which also covers York, received £54.6 million investment, in addition to £572.9 million funding awarded in a previous Local Growth Deal round, announced in July last year.

Over the lifetime of the funding deal, which expires in 2021, the LEP estimates that up to 10,000 new jobs could be created, and 2,000 new homes built.

The Leeds City Region LEP said its latest Growth Deal investment will support a new housing and regeneration programme across the region, and an enhanced business grants programme, as well as supporting projects at Leeds University, Huddersfield University and further education colleges elsewhere in the region.

The York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP's funding is also in addition to earlier investment in July, when it was awarded £110.1 million. It believes its Growth Deal will create 5000 new jobs and 5,000 new homes.