BUSINESSES, MPs, local authorities and trade organisations have joined forces to press for the A64 east of York to be dualled.

The new A64 Growth Partnership, chaired by Barry Dodd of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, says it wants to “remove one of the most notorious pinch-points in Yorkshire’s main road network”, to deliver economic growth and investment and address safety concerns.

Mr Dodd said: “Our great Yorkshire coast not only provides the essential route for many businesses, but it is also the route for the whole of Yorkshire, to their tourist and leisure space.

“We must make it a pleasure for everyone to use, not what it is today. Improving the connectivity of the transport network east-west across our area is vital for our growth, and nationally, we must work with everyone to make our united voices heard and make this investment happen.”

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said the A64 east of York was notorious across Yorkshire and beyond as a bottleneck, and this could not be tolerated any longer.