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'We'd rather improve buses than dual an A road'

Richard Edwards
BBC News, Yorkshire
Google This is a shot of the eastbound junction - towards Scarborough - from York's Hopgrove roundabout. Unusually for this stretch - usually busy with traffic - only a couple of vehicles are in view.Google
Congestion often builds up at the A64 Hopgrove roundabout

The mayor of North Yorkshire has said he will prioritise improving public transport in the region rather than campaigning for the A64 to be dualled.

There have been calls for decades for the stretch of road between York and Malton to be upgraded to a dual carriageway to ease congestion.

Various MPs have backed the proposal over the years but a scheme has never been given the go-ahead.

Elected mayor David Skaith supported the dualling when seeking election but told the BBC: "My priority is improving the bus, rail and active travel offer. Do that first, then you're left with what you need to do with the road."

BBC/FREYA COX York and North Yorkshire's elected Labour mayor David Skaith is smiling straight at the camera. He is wearing a dark jacket and standing in front of the purple and white BBC Radio York logos.BBC/FREYA COX
York and North Yorkshire's elected Labour mayor David Skaith spoke to BBC Radio York

He added: "If the money's there for the road, we're not going to say no to it. But we have to look at the best use of the money available to move people sustainably - and that's rail or bus."

Senior York and North Yorkshire Conservatives have accused the mayor of a "lack of action" over the A64.

The criticism is from Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake and Chris Steward, who leads City of York Council's Conservative group.

Hollinrake claimed the mayor had not been "honest" about the A64 during the election campaign, saying Skaith did not understand the needs of residents, businesses and healthcare.

And Steward said: "A year ago, everyone from politicians to businesses to residents, seemed to agree that improving transport should be the biggest focus of the new mayor. It is therefore incredibly disappointing to see such an abject failure on the crucial A64."

Mayor says dualling A64 'might not be a priority'

However, Skaith argued that previous Conservative campaigns for improvements to the A64 between Hopgrove Junction and Barton-le-Willows had failed to secure a funding commitment.

He added: "Unlike what some MPs in the patch are saying, we are having conversations about this with government about whether the money is there to do it. It is a huge cost - and despite promises from the previous government, the money wasn't there.

"If the money is there we are pushing for it. But we are prioritising buses and rail which are much more in my powers - and a much cheaper alternative to dualling a road."

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