Approved North Yorkshire plan focuses on improved cross-county travel

Sections of the A64 (pictured) and the A59 will be upgraded to improve connectivity across North Yorkshire over the next 30 years.

Among its key priorities is improving connectivity between the east and west of the county by upgrading sections of two major roads, the A59 and A64.

The plan outlines how long journey times are one of the major barriers facing the North Yorkshire economy with workers struggling to access job opportunities and companies reluctant to invest in “peripheral areas of the county”, which include many of the region’s tourist attractions.

Solutions “are expensive costing tens or even hundreds of millions of pounds” and will need Government support, however, the plan explains.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for highways and public transport.

The county is setting aside £300,000 to fund work that will produce proposals designed to secure Government cash.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the authority’s executive member for highways and public transport, said: “North Yorkshire has one of the largest transport networks in the country, spread across a vast largely rural area, but with one or two areas of serious traffic congestion like Harrogate.

“We need transport networks that are fit for purpose to support the wellbeing of our residents and the economic future of our region.”

The new Local Transport Plan covers the period up to 2045.