Move to dual the A64 'would damage Ryedale' (From Gazette & Herald)

Move to dual the A64 'would damage Ryedale'

CALLS to make the notorious stretch of the A64 between York and Scarborough a dual carriageway will today be blasted for their environmental impact.

A recent report says the upgrade could cut deaths on the road by 22 per cent, reduce casualties by 57 per cent, and create and retain up to 1,150 jobs in the region over a 30-year period.

But Liberal councillor John Clark will attack the study because of the environmental impact of any such upgrade, when Ryedale District Council's policy and resources committee discusses its findings tonight.

"Creating this 'commuter belt' is going to mean a loss of land, a loss of biodiversity and an enormous cost in resources," said Coun Clark.

"We have this assumption that economic growth comes first and we should put the environment second. One thing Ryedale and Scarborough both have is their environment, if we go on damaging the environment it will eventually harm the economy.

"The report said there would be an increase in traffic because more people will come to the area. People don't seem to be asking what effect more traffic in the villages or on the country roads is going to have. And what's the death rate on our roads going to be once people's speed increases?" he said.

One effect of improving the A64 would be that Ryedale would become more accessible to commuters, raising house prices, he said.

Coun Clark said that work should be done to improve junctions and safety measures on the A64.

But rather than dualling the carriageway, cash should be spent on improving local rail links - particularly restoring the Malton-Pickering link.

The study was carried out by consultants Steer Davies Gleave on behalf of a number of partners, including the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, Yorkshire Forward, the Highways Agency, and North Yorkshire, City of York, Scarborough and Ryedale Councils.

It examined the ways that development of the transport infrastructure could help regenerate towns and rural communities along the corridor.

Updated: 11:37 Thursday, October 09, 2003