AN UPGRADE of the A64 between York and Scarborough is “vital” to cut road deaths and bring commerce to the region, according to one campaigner.

The call comes as Thirsk and Malton MP, Anne McIntosh, is today expected to ask the Government front bench in the House of Commons to commit to a major upgrade of the 35-mile stretch, which could see it converted to dual carriageway.

The upgrade has been a long-term objective of North Yorkshire county councillor Ron Haigh, who welcomed the MP’s question to the Department for Transport.

He said: “I represent villages from Rillington to Staxton and the only way we are cut the accident rate on the A64 is to go dual carriageway.

“If it was dual carriageway, I believe the number of road deaths in North Yorkshire would plummet.”

He said: “But it’s not just the accident rate and the deaths.

“Until we have a decent road in and out of Scarborough we are not going to get the investment. If you look at a map of Yorkshire, you see that the A64 stands out like a sore thumb for not being a dual carriageway.

“It’s a big issue and one which I support whole heartedly – the sooner we bring the Government round the better.”

Meanwhile, Coun Steve Galloway, head of city strategy at City of York Council said he doubted whether the A64 would “leapfrog” other projects in light of recent Government spending cuts.

He said: “You could argue that the whole of Yorkshire would benefit because that road doesn’t have a particularly good accident record. Whether any section upgrade is in the York boundary or not, it would be welcome.”