THERE was joy and despair for Selby area residents today, as transport bosses gave the green light to major road safety improvements - but postponed a long-awaited village bypass.

The Highways Agency has announced work will begin on Monday on £220,000 worth of improvements to the A63 between Cliffe and Hemingbrough.

But residents and motorists in Osgodby will have to wait until at least the autumn of 2007 before work begins on their £3.2 million bypass.

Local MP John Grogan has called for a meeting with the agency's regional manager to ensure the delay to the bypass is minimised.

He said: "Obviously the Highways Agency has to set priorities each year, however, this bypass is very important for local residents.

Mr Grogan said: "I shall continue to press the Highways Agency to ensure that it goes ahead as soon as possible."

The one-mile project, which would link the A63 south of Osgodby with the northern roundabout on the Selby bypass, has already been given the go-ahead by the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling.

A Highways Agency spokesperson said: "The Highways Agency is committed to progressing the A63 Osgodby bypass scheme, subject to the necessary funding being made available. Funding for this scheme has not been allocated for the financial year 2006-2007, due to increased costs which the Highways Agency is currently reviewing."

Local district councillor David McSherry was disappointed to hear of the delay. He said: "It is a tragedy that the bypass has been hit due to funding.

"But Kay McSherry and myself, as ward councillors, are enthusiastic that this goes ahead as near to the original date as possible. We will do whatever we can to push this forward."

In Hemingbrough though, Coun McSherry was delighted that a hazardous stretch of the A63 was to be made safer.

The improvements include:

A reduction in speed limit from 60mph to 40mph between Cliffe and Hemingbrough

Improved road markings and signs

Traffic islands to provide safe crossing points for pedestrians

A vehicle-activated sign east of Hemingbrough to tell motorists when they are speeding

Resurfacing.

Work will begin on Monday and last approximately three months.

Coun McSherry thanked the Evening Press for reporting the campaign for improvements. He said: "Without the vital assistance of the Evening Press, this would not have been possible.

"We can only hope that the effort has been worthwhile and that we do have a reduction in road accidents."

Highways Agency project manager David Phillips said: "These safety improvements are good news for local people and motorists as they will reduce the risk of accidents between Cliffe and Hemingbrough."

Updated: 10:49 Thursday, December 08, 2005