A £22 MILLION upgrade of the A64, including safety work where four pedestrians were killed, is to be carried out.

Highways England is planning 25 improvement schemes over the next 12 months on the route between the A1(M) and Scarborough, including resurfacing, drainage and junction upgrades.

Key locations for safety work is at Crambeck, where four pedestrians were killed while crossing the road in two separate accidents within a month.

In May 2017, Julie Gough, and her partner, Dave Tinker, died while crossing the 60mph road near Crambeck, where they lived.

Then, on June 23, 2017, Charles McLaughlin and wife Judith, 58, were also killed while crossing the A64 to Jamie’s Cragg holiday park where they were living.

In the wake of the deaths, the A64 Road Safety Action Group was set up to press for improvements to be made to safeguard road users

Another area will be Rillington where residents have also raised safety concerns for a number of years.

Highways England project manager Chris Dunn said: “We are carrying out a series of improvements along the A64 between the A1(M) and Seamer over the next 12 months which will provide better journeys for drivers and improved road safety.

“These include major safety improvements at Crambeck and Rillington which are being funded as part of our safety designated funds.

“It also includes further improvements for cyclists along the route as well some junction improvements making it easier for people to access caravan sites in the area.

“The majority of the work is being carried out from September onwards to avoid the summer months when traffic is at its heaviest.”

This work is part of Highways England’s £80m maintenance improvements on Yorkshire’s roads this year providing drivers with smoother and safer journeys.

Some of the projects along the A64 have also been developed as part of Highways England’s cycling, safety and integration designated fund of £250m to be spent between 2015 and 2021, helping address barriers caused by the road network, providing a more accessible, inclusive and integrated network.

For more information about the project will be available on Friday, August 30, at Rillington Village Hall, from 3pm to 7pm

Further details about individual schemes are also be available online at highwaysengland.co.uk