A LONG battle for improvements to a damaged village road near York has finally been won.

The surface of Mill Lane, in Acaster Malbis, crumbled during bad weather over recent years and repairs were originally delayed due to council budget cuts, meaning it had to wait on a provisional list for attention.

Following lobbying of City of York Council by Bishopthorpe councillor John Galvin and Acaster Malbis Parish Council over the last 18 months, the scheme has now been completed.

Coun Galvin said: “I am delighted that, at long last, Mill Lane has been resurfaced and I am grateful to the council and the contractors for a job well done.

“I am sure Acaster Malbis residents are all very pleased at the outcome.”

Coun Galvin said the worsening state of the road had created potholes which, under the council’s policies, had to be repaired quickly, but delays left the route in an “appalling condition” and gullies being blocked before the resurfacing took place.

Parish council chairman Gary Taylor said: “It desperately needed to be done because the road deteriorated very badly during severe frost, but other roads seemed to be taking priority.

“It caused a lot of difficulty for residents and cyclists who use the road, and everybody is extremely pleased it has finally happened.”