RYEDALE MP Kevin Hollinrake is to meet Highways England again next week to push for an upgrade of the A64.

Since he was elected in May 2015, Mr Hollinrake has been working with colleagues in Parliament and with the A64 Growth Partnership (A64GP), which includes the Local Enterprise Partnership, North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council and businesses, to look at possible solutions to the problem.

Mr Hollinrake said: “My position is that we need new stretches of dual carriageway all the way to Barton Hill and then from Crambeck Village to Malton.

“To this end I have raised many questions in the House and had meetings with ministers and the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, who has expressed his support.”

Highways England says it will only upgrade the Hopgrove roundabout to a flyover, simply moving the pinch-point slightly further up the A64.

Mr Hollinrake added: “The A64GP is in agreement that Highways England may need to change their current focus or increase the allocated spend, currently estimated at £105m.”

Highways England is producing a report in the spring which will examine whether the flyover is the best option and how much it will cost.

Mr Hollinrake said the final solution must reflect the immense importance of A64 to the constituency’s economy and the wellbeing of those living and working there.

“During the first half of 2017 Highways England will begin external consultation with key partners on the findings of the feasibility work,” he said.

“A full design for the agreed scheme must be in place for 2020, following extensive investigatory work and full public scrutiny.

“The A64 GP is also developing its evidence base, taking into account future economic developments such as the potash mine, offshore wind, GCHQ expansion, shale gas exploration, changes in clinical provisions in Scarborough and York Hospitals and traffic/air quality issues in Malton and Norton, to support the case for major investment in the route.”