A MASSIVE campaign urging people to have their say on the future of the A64 is under way.

Tens of thousands of leaflets and questionnaires are being delivered to homes in York and North Yorkshire asking for their views on a new route management strategy.

A series of exhibitions has also been organised to give people a chance to put their point across.

But the consultation process has been attacked by Ryedale MP John Greenway who has branded it "a disappointment".

The route strategy, will look at the management and operation of the A64, from York to Scarborough over the next ten years.

Improvements being considered on the road, which suffers from heavy congestion in places, include providing more opportunities for overtaking on single-carriageway sections and closing gaps in the central reservation.

In the questionnaire, respondents are asked to grade suggested actions on whether they feel they are important or not.

But the major issue on the lips of many motorists, that of dualling the road, is not being addressed by Highways Agency chiefs.

That has disappointed Mr Greenway who has argued in favour of dual carriageways along the entire route.

He said: "A lot of people will be very disappointed. To me, the kind of things being proposed do not address the real issues.

"South of Malton, the road is woefully inadequate for the volume of traffic that uses it.

"What we need is productive and radical solutions to what everyone knows is a major problem. People will be both disappointed and resentful with what has been published."

Highways Agency project manager David Phillips said: "People often know a great deal about local problems and what the solutions might be, so it is vital that they are consulted in such an important study as this.

"We look forward to hearing their views either at the exhibitions, via the postal questionnaires or through the Highways Agency's website."

Peter Evely, head of highways regulation at City of York Council, said: "We welcome this initiative.

"Here in York we have been particularly interested in the mechanisms required to manage traffic effectively so as to minimise any potential for the A1237 or roads in the centre to be used."

The exhibitions are to be held in York and Scarborough over the coming weeks.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, will host the first, from Tuesday, January 29 until Thursday, January 31.

The second will be held at the McArthurGlen designer outlet, near York, on February 1 and 2.

Further exhibitions will be held at other locations near the A64 until February 23.

Updated: 11:58 Thursday, January 17, 2002