A dangerous stretch of road (From Gazette & Herald)

A dangerous stretch of road

Re: A64 - Section between Welburn and Malton.

I WAS extremely disappointed, but not surprised, to see that the Highways Agency has yet again refused to upgrade this dangerous stretch of road as it considers there is insufficient traffic to justify a dual carriageway.

It would seem that the agency is totally oblivious to the dreadful loss of life. Cosmetic changes, including red sections with 'slow' signs on the road, have made not the slightest difference - in fact, traffic approaches Welburn from the dual carriageway at an even faster speed. The recently-installed chevrons on the bend are seen after drivers are already committed to overtaking.

A speed camera would not only have been cheaper, but much more effective.

This is in stark contrast to the enormous sums of money spent on the Copmanthorpe underpass, where there was, in any event, the choice of using the Askham Bryan junction within a short distance. Who is paying the huge costs of the extravagant landscaping? Dozens of trees have been planted at the edge of the road, which presumably will have to be felled in a few years time when they obscure the highway, as well as thousands of shrubs and 'sculptural plants'. Surely the safety of road users is of more importance than this?

In the meantime, we shall continue to play Russian roulette every time we cross the road at Welburn, either on foot to catch the bus, or in the car to turn west to York. I was not amused to be told by a North Yorkshire transport officer that it was all down to road deaths.

I am also at a loss to understand why, when they are being erected throughout the Malton area, it is not possible for the Highways Agency and North Yorkshire County Council to get together to place bus shelters at the more exposed and dangerous stops on the A64.

All the various budgets seem to make it all too easy for these projects to fail, with each authority passing the buck to the other.

Updated: 11:46 Wednesday, July 02, 2003