HIGHWAYS chiefs say they took steps to help businesses alongside the A64 between York and Malton when it was closed over the weekend for the second phase of a major reconstruction project.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs complained after the first weekend closure last month that they suffered a huge drop in trade, partly because of poor signing of the closure, and said the least that should be done was for 'businesses open as usual' signs to go up during future closures..

Highways England said it put up additional signs following feedback from the first closure, including businesses open as usual signs around the Hopgrove/Crambeck area.

A spokeswoman also revealed that during the first closure, Ryedale District Council was able to collect 65 bags of litter, and Highways England carried out additional maintenance work, such as vegetation clearance and gulley cleaning.