THREE roads in the York area have been picked out as among the worst places for roadworks in the entire country this summer.

The A19 at the Rawcliffe Bar roundabout, the A64 at Top Lane, Copmanthorpe, and the A63 Cliffe to Hemingbrough road, near Selby, are named in a new Highways Agency guide to the roads worst hit by roadworks during the next few months.

The Highways Agency Summer Travel Leaflet is designed to give trouble-free travel across the nation's trunk road and motorway network during the summer holidays.

Work on the A19 Rawcliffe Bar roundabout has already been responsible for traffic hold-ups.

Major improvement works include the reconstruction of the roundabout, building associated slip roads and an underpass for cyclists and pedestrians.

It is due to be completed in October.

Top Lane, at Copmanthorpe, on the A64, is to see a £4.1 million safety project to do away with the notorious traffic controls and the building of a new link road and underpass.

But highways chiefs have said they will do their utmost to minimise delays here.

Meanwhile, resurfacing work on the A63 Cliffe to Hemingbrough road will begin next month, with the Highways Agency predicting "moderate delays".

A spokeswoman for AA Roadwatch said motorists would be advised to take alternatives routes on both the A64 and A63.

However, she said that the A19 Rawcliffe Bar roundabout was unavoidable for many people.

She said: "With it being the A19, there is no way that people can avoid it really.

"As it is so close to the city and so many people use it, it's more a case of giving yourself extra time for the journey."

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "During the holiday period, many more people than normal use the roads in North Yorkshire so traffic congestion can occur.

"The roadworks taking place around the York area may cause some further delays, which is why the Highways Agency has produced the Summer Travel Leaflet to help the public plan ahead and reach their holiday destinations with the minimum of delay."

The Highways Agency leaflet is being distributed to transport operators and at motorway service areas and libraries.

Alternatively, people can contact the Highways Agency information line on 08457 504030.

Updated: 13:19 Tuesday, July 10, 2001