CONSTRUCTION of a new roundabout to ease congestion on the A1079 at Pocklington is to start this month.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, local developers of the BroadHelm Business Park and the landowner Henry Thirsk have concluded a deal after the £1.4 million plan was approved by the council in June.

Two new access roads will be built linking West Green, Pocklington, and Main Street, Allerthorpe, to the roundabout.

The old Hodsow Lane and its junction with the A1079 will be closed.

Wold Construction has been appointed as the contractor and will be on site for 26 weeks from mid-November, with the aim of completing the project by June 2011.

Jonathan Atkinson, a director of The BroadHelm Venture, a £20 million mixed-use scheme next to Pocklington Industrial Estate by joint developers Broadvale Developments and Helmsley Group, said it would provide new employment opportunities.

He said: “The improvements will provide access to the first phase of a mixed-use development, which in future will extend to approximately 27 acres in total.

“The initial phase offers opportunities to develop adjacent to the A1079 and the proposed roundabout. In the longer term it will allow for economic growth and employment opportunities for existing and new businesses.”

Pocklington councillors for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Stephen Lane, Claude Mole and Kay West, have backed the roundabout, which they say will bring many benefits. Coun Mole said the roundabout would be an advantage to local businesses based in and around the town by improving access.

Coun West said: “The project will be good all round for Pocklington and the surrounding area. It will help cut down congestion to places such as Allerthorpe and Barmby Moor and will make getting in and out of Pocklington much easier.”

Coun Lane said it would improve safety and also relieve congestion on the A166, which people use to avoid the A1079.