The leader of Ryedale council said there was good and bad news regarding road schemes aimed at improving the A64.

Councillor Linda Cowling welcomed news that improvements will be carried out in Sand Hutton on the trunk road as part of the multi-million pound development of the government’s Food and Environent Research Agency.

However, she told the district council she was disappointed that the bid from the Government’s Local Growth Fund for improvements to the A64, near the proposed new Malton livestock market, was unsuccessful.

But, said Coun Cowling, she hoped that as a result of planning permission being granted for the £17m scheme, which will also include a business park for agricultural-related enterprises, and a facility for Bishop Burton College, there would be a rethink at Westminster. The scheme is to be re-submitted said Coun Cowling.

There was also good news for the district with the opening of the new extension to Rosti McKechnie’s factory at Pickering.