BUS passengers should benefit from the first of three stages of an improvement programme to start this week.

Work is to be carried out to the bus lay-bys along the A64 in North Yorkshire over the next two months.

This first phase, worth £46,000, involves building raised kerbs, which will make it easier for passengers to step on and off buses at Rillington, East Heslerton and Scagglethorpe.

At the same time, footpaths around the lay-bys will be improved.

The Highways Agency is working with North Yorkshire County Council which will be installing bus shelters at each site once the work is completed.

The work is part of a £2.5m package of improvements announced earlier this year on the A64 between Bramham and Scarborough.