Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative candidate for Thirsk and Malton, took time out from his campaign to show Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, why there is an urgent need for improvements on the A64 and why a dual carriageway towards Malton is a better option than the proposed flyover at Hopgrove roundabout. He was joined by neighbouring Conservative candidates from York Outer, Julian Sturdy, and York Central, Ed Young.
Mr Hollinrake said ‘I am delighted that the Secretary of State has now been able to see for himself why the flyover option, which would cost £135 million, is not the answer. We want that money to be reallocated and a further £100 million pounds to create a dual carriageway between Hopgrove and the existing dual carriageway section at Barton Hill. I met with Highways England before the election was called and, although they weren’t able to confirm at this point, I am optimistic that they will revise their plans. We would have to go through an option process over the next 12 months and then enlist the support of the Secretary of State and Transport Minister, which I believe I already have, to sign a Change Control Order. If this happens we could see this dual carriageway all the way to the Jinnah restaurant in 2022-2023 and then we will campaign for a further section between Crambeck Village and Musley Bank at Malton and other improvements, such as bypasses at Rillington, in the next road section between 2025-2030. It’s been frustrating, but I do believe that we have built the business case and we will get these long awaited improvements’