A64: Council tells North Yorkshire MPs and Mayor to back ‘essential’ dualling
North Yorkshire Council has reiterated its backing for the dualling of the A64 and has urged regional MPs to confirm their support for the project.
Coun Keane Duncan, the Conservative-led authority’s former transport boss, has called for cross-party pressure on the Government in order to realise plans to dual the A64 road.
Proposals to dual the key road have been discussed for decades but have failed to receive financial backing from the previous or current governments.
Speaking at a full meeting of the authority, Coun Duncan said: “The A64 is one of 30 road schemes competing for funding and without clear, united backing from this council, the reality is that Government will look elsewhere.
“A vote for dualling today will not triumphantly end this 50-year struggle, but a vote against will no doubt doom hopes of dualling for good.”
A majority of councillors backed the motion, which urges the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and the Members of Parliament for York Outer, Thirsk and Malton, and Scarborough and Whitby to confirm their support for “this essential upgrade”.
Only a handful of councillors opposed or abstained from voting on the proposal at NYC’s full meeting on Wednesday, November 12.
Coun Duncan added: “We have a Labour government and while criticising them may feel tempting, it would not be fair, and it will not help.
“What will make a difference is cross-party pressure, with local Labour representatives playing a critical role in advocating for this upgrade with Labour ministers.
“My aim is not simply to win a vote today with a majority, but to unite this chamber across political divides so we can send the strongest possible message to the Government.”
The motion also commits the authority to work on a cross-party basis with national and local political representatives.
The elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, has previously been criticised by Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake for his stance on the A64.
The Labour mayor supported dualling during his election campaign but said his “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.”
The Member of Parliament for Thirsk and Malton said that while he welcomed efforts to improve regional connectivity “the focus must remain on delivering the A64 upgrade as a matter of urgency”.