SAFETY improvements to a dangerous junction on York's Outer Ring Road starts this week.

City of York Council is carrying out the work on the A1237 - which will involve speed restrictions and diversions - at its junction with Moor Lane. Work will begin on Wednesday.

Ray Chaplin, head of the council's engineering consultancy, said: "There have been many accidents at this junction over recent years involving vehicles exiting Moor Lane on to the Outer Ring Road.

"This improvement scheme, which involves lengthening and widening the left turn slip lane off the A1237, will provide motorists with better visibility of traffic on the Outer Ring Road.

"This change should make it both easier and safer for drivers to exit Moor Lane, by helping them to more easily see the oncoming traffic and then judge when it is safe to pull out."

Moor Lane will also be widened slightly to reduce the problem of drivers waiting to turn right on to the A1237, blocking the path of those wishing to exit to turn left. This will reduce the vehicle overrun of the verge, which is currently being practised by frustrated drivers. During the work two-way traffic flow will be maintained along the A1237.

But it will be necessary to narrow the traffic lanes using cones, and to apply a 30mph speed restriction.

While the work is in progress it will be necessary to prohibit

the right turns into and out of both the Moor Lane and Askham Bryan Lane junctions. Diversion routes will be signed.

The work is expected to last about six weeks and will be undertaken by Tarmac Northern Ltd of Bradford.

- York is on track for road relief this Easter, as the contraflow on the A64 at Copmanthorpe is due for removal so all four lanes can be open from March 29 to April 2. After the holiday, the westbound carriageway will be closed again until work is finished, with restrictions on the A64 due to finish at the end of May and the new underpass to be opened in July.

Updated: 11:32 Monday, March 18, 2002