A NOTORIOUS A64 bottleneck is set to be eased after the Government cleared the way for a bypass on the road.

Rillington could be free of traffic as early as 2006 after the village gets its long-awaited £6.4m relief road.

Transport Minister David Jamieson said he has backed the Highways Agency's preferred route for the bypass near Malton.

The new road will run from Scagglethorpe to Scampston Bridge, which villagers wanted when they were consulted in November 2000.

After concern from village residents at that consultation the route was amended to the west, removing bends at Rillington Fields.

But the bypass will be single-carriageway, despite calls for the busy coast road to be dualled.

Mr Jamieson's decision was announced yesterday after he had met a top-level delegation headed by Ryedale MP John Greenway to discuss making the A64 a dual-carriageway along its full stretch.

Mr Jamieson said: "The bypass will significantly improve the environment within the village, particularly during the busy summer holiday period.

"This will result in less noise, improved air quality and a reduced risk of accidents."

Mr Greenway said: "This is excellent news. The chosen route is a good solution because it takes in the best features of the preferred route and provides relief to Rillington fields."

Norton-on-Derwent Councillor Elizabeth Shields, who was among the delegation, said: "I am sure the people of Rillington will be delighted that at long last they have got what they have been seeking for so many years."

Updated: 08:55 Wednesday, July 03, 2002