HOPES are rising that York’s congested outer ring road could finally be dualled after the Prime Minister signalled his support during a visit to the city.

York Outer Tory MP Julian Sturdy said he appealed to David Cameron for help securing the necessary investment and the PM agreed to consider the issue and help the MP as he looks to get it included in the Government’s road programme.

Mr Sturdy said he had highlighted the daily congestion problems experienced on the route and suggested it was preventing the local economy from achieving its full potential.

“I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will support me in trying to achieve the investment we need,” he said.

City of York Council’s Labour leader James Alexander said the Prime Minister had agreed with a motion recently passed by full council that upgrading the road was a priority, and had said specific funds were available from the Government to help.

“This is a golden opportunity for York to work with the expressed view of the Prime Minister to secure these Government funds,” he said.

“The Prime Minister has said MPs and all councillors should come together to work with the Government on this issue.

“I agree with the Prime Minister and therefore I would like to call a meeting of both of York’s MPs and all group leaders to jointly go out there and secure Government funds to upgrade the outer ring road.”

Mr Cameron, who was asked about the prospects for dualling both the ring road and the A64 east of York during a question and answer session yesterday with 250 employees at Portakabin’s Huntington factory, said he had had personal experience of the ring road as a “car park” and spoke about the Government’s investment in transport infrastructure.

Earlier, Mr Cameron praised the success of Portakabin in achieving increased sales and exports.