PLANS for a £7.1m overhaul of the main road through a national park 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.

Proposed works include an overhaul of the one-way system in Hawes, traffic signals at bridges, roundabouts, junction changes, 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.

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.

A council spokesman said a timetable for consultations had not yet been confirmed.