SPECIAL tourism signs to Wensleydale have been erected on the A1 motorway in time for the holiday season.

The signs to the dale are now in place at Junction 51 at Leeming Bar following a campaign by local councillors, business leaders and MP Rishi Sunak.

The A1 is currently being upgraded to a three-lane motorway between Leeming Bar and Barton, near Scotch Corner, in a £380m scheme, due to be completed by the end of this year.

Signs to Wensleydale were not included in the original plans by Highways England, but after talks it was agreed to include the dale on new signs being made for the busy junction, generally regarded as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

Richmondshire District Council is paying the £4,000 cost and North Yorkshire county council sorting out the administration.

Mr Sunak said: “The upgraded A1 is a wonderful asset and I want the businesses that depend on tourism to get the best from the improved road links. When the new road is fully open the Yorkshire Dales will be only a few miles from the national motorway network, it’s vital we tell people this internationally renowned landscape is so near.”

Cllr Peacock said: “Tourism is vital to Wensleydale and we have so much to offer. It is excellent news that the new signs are in place.”