County chief behind drive to shut gaps

Coun Peter Sowray, the county council's executive member for environment services, has written to the Evening Press backing our call for the Government to act quickly on the notorious Bilbrough Top junction on the A64.

Coun Sowray has vowed to write separately to Roads Minister David Jamieson, urging him to sanction a project for a flyover at the site.

Coun Sowray said it was imperative that everything was done to persuade the Minister to bring the matter to an early resolution.

The soaring cost of the flyover scheme, which will finally close the gap in the central reservation, has delayed its scheduled start date. Construction work had been due to start in June, but because the cost has risen above £5 million, an application has to go to from the Highways Agency to the Government for extra funding.

The Evening Press has been campaigning for several years for the gap to be closed on safety grounds.

Two people have died in accidents in which their cars passed through the gap and were struck by vehicles travelling along the dual carriageway.

Selby MP John Grogan has also called for work to begin. The Evening Press will be passing letters to the Minister from readers concerned about the possibility of a delay.

Coun Sowray said: "I too am extremely concerned about this delay and the likelihood that construction will not now commence until early 2004, at the earliest.

"Officers of the county council have been working with the Highways Agency's staff for a considerable time to agree details of this important scheme and there is great disappointment that the project is now delayed.

"The location is the worst site for accidents for all roads in North Yorkshire and has appeared at the top of the annual accident list for some years now.

"It is imperative that whatever can be done to persuade the Minister to bring this matter to an early resolution, is done."

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, September 04, 2003