MOTORISTS in York can expect major delays when work starts on £4.1 million safety improvements on the A64 at Top Lane, Copmanthorpe.

Contractors are set to begin work on the main A64 carriageway, which includes the removal of traffic lights at Copmanthorpe junction.

The eastbound carriageway will close from Monday until December 20, with traffic running in single lanes in each direction on the westbound side. There will also be no right turn eastbound towards York from Top Lane junction from September 10.

Drivers heading to the city from Copmanthorpe will be diverted to Manor Heath and Askham Bryan interchange.

A spokesman for the York police traffic section warned: "During peak times drivers can expect major delays."

Preparations for the main carriageway work has already begun with the outer lanes of the east and westbound carriageways closed from 7pm to 7am until Friday.

The £4.1 million improvements includes construction of the first half of the new underpass linking Copmanthorpe and York, plus widening of the eastbound carriageway, construction of a cycle way and footpath, and removal of the traffic lights.

Project manager David Phillips said: "Early next year the work will switch over to the westbound side with the aim of completing the main carriageway works before next summer. We would appeal to drivers to avoid the area if possible, or perhaps consider car sharing or using public transport."

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, September 04, 2001