THE controversy over the imminent closure of the Black Swan crossroads on the A19 has got bogged down in arguments about the impact on village events close to the junction.

No doubt some events will be affected by potential attendees finding it difficult to adjust to the diversions necessary to reach the villages of Hutton Rudby, Appleton Wiske and the Rountons.

But this, we believe, is a small price to pay for the welcome closure of this notorious junction.

Local people now need to move on and, along with other communities close to the road, start campaigning to have the A19 graded with motorway standard junctions along its entire length.

It is becoming an increasingly dangerous road, particularly since the A1 was upgraded to Dishforth. We suspect average speeds on the A19 northbound are much higher than before the A1 upgrading but there are still the same number of crossing points for farm and local traffic. It's a highly dangerous mix.

The Highways Agency has carried out extensive survey work on the road in recent years, work that has highlighted its dangerous nature. The next step is for local politicians and other interested groups to make the upgrading a priority.