A scheme to take lorries off a notorious stretch of the A64 and on to rail has taken two major steps forward.

A study into the expense of taking freight off the road and on to the York and Scarborough railway line is due to start, while sites in York and Seamer, near Scarborough, have already been put forward as possible loading terminals.

Freight companies are actively looking for firms to launch them.

The Freight Transport Association is to circulate a questionnaire to its members to gauge the demand for rail transport and investigations are being made into securing grant aid for the project.

The advances made have been described as "very positive" by the county councillor who started the campaign to take freight off the road.

Coun Murray Naylor (Rillington), said: "This does sound very positive and we are certainly moving in the right direction.

"I do get frustrated by the length of time it is taking, but we can't force people to use the railways for moving freight, we have to persuade them, and I accept that the groundwork has got to be done."

Coun Naylor started his campaign because of concern about the huge amount of traffic on the road.

He said: "We just can't go on funnelling immense amounts of heavy traffic on to the A64 when there is an alternative system there to be developed.

"There are a number of issues concerned, including safety and environmental considerations. I have an awful lot of sympathy for people who live adjacent to the road and have their lives disrupted at all hours of the day and night."

The exploration of the potential for moving freight from the A64 on to rail has been given the support of the local authorities affected, as well as Railtrack, the Freight Transport Association and the Highways Agency.

If it goes ahead the plan could have huge benefits for local industry, with Scarborough Borough Council already carrying out a study to check the feasibility of expanding the town's Business Park which lies beside the railway line.

Initial studies suggest terminal sites for loading freight at Seamer, close to the Scarborough Business Park, with City of York Council suggesting a site behind York railway station.

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