PRIME Minister David Cameron’s call for a long-awaited upgrading of the A64 has been welcomed by MP Anne McIntosh and civic leaders in Ryedale.

He was visiting York last week when he urged the improvements and the dualling of the York outer ring road to help boost the local economy.

County Coun Clare Wood, who has championed the upgrading of the A64 for several years, said: “The news is good for Ryedale. It will be good for the local economy but also for road safety because the trunk road has seen many fatal accidents, and the North Yorkshire coroner, Michael Oakley, has frequently expressed his concerns about the road when conducting inquests.”

It was now important, that the Highways Agency, the Government agency responsible for the A64, was given the financial resources to enable improvement work to be carried out, said Coun Wood.

She added it was vital that the Highways Agency carried out the safety improvement scheme at Barton crossroads, an accident blackspot, and at the Hazelbush public house area. She also wanted to see a link made to the road from Broughton Road, Malton, as part of the major housing development which is now under-way.

Ms McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said she was writing to Mr Cameron urging him to “take a close look” at the improvement work which is needed.

She said vehicle activated signs in the villages of Staxton, Sherburn, East and West Heslerton, Ganton and Rillington, could play a key part in improving road safety.

“Upgrading the road will be of considerable benefit to businesses in the Ryedale and Scarborough areas, improving links to the major road networks.

“This is a road which is busy year-round not just in the holiday season,” she said.

The leader of Ryedale District Council, Coun Linda Cowling, also welcomed Mr Cameron’s intervention.

She said: “The council has long championed the need to significantly upgrade the A64, east of York. We are currently working with our partners at North Yorkshire County, City of York and Scarborough Borough councils to promote a number of targeted improvement scheme along the road between York and Scarborough.

“It is welcome news that the Prime Minister recognises the importance of enhancing this key east-west route.

“However, we know that even selective improvement schemes for the A64 will be competing for funding with road schemes across the country.”