An election candidate has vowed to fight for funding to improve a notorious accident blackspot on one of York’s busiest roads.

The Hazelbush crossroads on the A64, which link Strensall, Towthorpe and Stockton-on-the-Forest, has been the scene of several accidents in recent years, triggering numerous calls for improvements.

The issue is now being taken up again with the Highways Agency, responsible for the A64, by York Outer MP Julian Sturdy after the organisation put the route on its priority list for upgrades.

Sian Wiseman, who is aiming to retain her Strensall seat for the Conservatives at this week’s City of York Council elections, says safety improvements for the junction will head her agenda if she is re-elected, with a roundabout being the preferred option.

More than 1,200 people signed a petition in 2008 calling for action to be taken at the crossroads after 17 accidents which caused injury in three years.

Mrs Wiseman said: “Myself and Julian had hoped that, on completion of the upgrade to the nearby Hopgrove roundabout, regional transport funding available at the time would be used at Hazelbush. However, the council decided to use it at the junction of the Outer Ring Road and the A19 instead, but we know the Highways Agency is now looking at the A64 as a road where various areas desperately need upgrading and that means money could be available.

“Julian is pushing hard to resurrect funding for Hazelbush and other dangerous junctions along the A64 and I will be doing everything I can to support this, because the speed at which vehicles travel along there makes road manoeuvres hazardous.

“A roundabout would not be cheap, but the layout of the junction makes it extremely difficult to get into the flow of traffic, and it is also a major bus route for Coastliner,” she said.

“I will be pushing to keep this crossroads at the top of the list for any upgrade work on the A64.”