Safety work at accident blackspot

Work to improve safety at a notorious accident blackspot in North Yorkshire has started following a long campaign by people concerned about the number of crashes there.

Motorists are often seen running the gauntlet of fast-moving traffic on the A64 by turning at the crossing point at Bilbrough Top.

More than 35 people were injured in road accidents at the junction between July 1998 and May 2003.

But engineers have closed the gap in the central reservation to prevent cars turning across the busy stretch of road ahead of work to build a new junction.

Poor accident record

The £11m improvement scheme will also include a bridge to provide a safer link between the villages of Colton and Bilbrough and the nearby service station.

Highways Agency project manager Lynne Biddles said: "The existing junction at Bilbrough has a very poor accident record, and this project will significantly improve safety at the site.

"The first part of the project is to close the gap in the central reservation."

Until the new bridge over the A64 is completed, drivers using the service area will have to follow diversions to some destinations.

Construction of the new junction, which is due to begin in February, is expected to take around 15 months to complete.