MAJOR improvements to the A64 in North Yorkshire could cut deaths on the road by 22 per cent and casualties by 57 per cent, a new report has concluded.

The study, which aimed to discover the economic benefits of improving the road, also found that dualling the entire A64 would help to create and retain up to 1,150 jobs in the region over a 30-year period.

The work was carried out by consultants Steer Davies Gleave on behalf of a number of partners, including the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, Yorkshire Forward, the Highways Agency, North Yorkshire, City of York, Scarborough and Ryedale Councils.

It examined the ways that development of the transport infrastructure could help regenerate towns and rural communities along the corridor.

The study concluded: "Any improvements should involve either full dualling of the A64 over its full length, or partial dualling between Hopgrove and Whitwell bypass and between Malton bypass and Rillington.

"There is a case for carrying out a detailed assessment of the two alternatives, taking into account environmental and other issues."

Coun Murray Naylor, deputy leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "Broadly, I welcome this further interest, but I have two concerns.

"Firstly, that it will have an effect on the Rillington bypass if the road is fully dualled and that will be a further setback for the people of Rillington.

"Secondly, that you can't have a new dual carriageway without destroying an awful lot of green land. The views of those living astride the road must be taken into account."

Scarborough Borough councillor Godfrey Allanson said he welcomed the findings. "The council's vision is to achieve the renaissance of the North Yorkshire Coast by 2020 and improvement of the A64 would greatly assist us in doing that."

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said work was now under way to examine the findings in the report before the agency started to lobby Government ministers.

The study's recommended improvements are already included as a regional priority in the Review of the Region Planning Guidance for the whole of the Yorkshire and Humber region, which is currently under consultation.

Updated: 10:21 Saturday, September 20, 2003