Planned improvements on the A684 through Richmondshire have been given a cautious welcome.
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority member and Richmondshire District Council leader Councillor Yvonne Peacock said the Government funding could potentially ease a range of issues on the A684, from Leeming Bar to junction 37 of the M6 and the cash injection would boost the area.
Funding, which North Yorkshire County Council has received, will be available for works between this year and 2021.
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Proposed works include a complete overhaul of the one-way system in Hawes to introduce new footways, a pedestrianised area and traffic signal control.
Traffic signals at Appersett Bridge, near Hawes, Spennithorne Bridge, near Leyburn, the creation of a roundabout where the A684 meets the A6108 in Leyburn and the introduction of right turn lanes at Newton le Willows crossroads will be other major elements of the scheme.
The county council has also proposed junction changes at Cuebeck Worton, Burtersett and Brentwood, where a new roundabout will be installed, alongside numerous drainage, delineation, signing, kerbing, footway and skid resistance improvements.
The Department for Transport has provided funding for the road safety changes following 104 casualties in accidents on the route between 2012 and 2017, 47 of which were fatal or serious.
Cllr Peacock said it was vital that the road changes introduced would not hamper the movement of traffic on the route as it was critical to residents, traders and visitors.
She said she had concerns over some of the plans, such as introducing traffic lights in Hawes, and wanted to see road-widening schemes as part of the scheme.
Cllr Peacock said: “I would like to see the plans in detail and look forward to public consultations.”
A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said improvements to the A684 were a three-year programme, so a detailed timetable had not yet been confirmed.
He added: “In line with our normal procedures, there will be public consultations on any elements of the work that entail significant changes to the highway or to traffic management.
“These will be announced when dates are known, and are likely to take place throughout the programme as different elements of the work reach the appropriate stage.”
