A VILLAGE waiting almost 70 years for its bypass on the A61 Ripon-Harrogate road has been told it could soon become a reality.

But with so many false dawns in the past few people in Killinghall are ready to believe it until they see the tarmac being laid.

North Yorkshire County Council has just backed a scheme to bypass the community plagued by 21,700 vehicles a day on the A61 Ripon-Harrogate road and 8,200 on the B6161 Killinghall-Otley road.

The scheme is being tabled for approval by new Transport Minister Alistair Darling, along with other road improvements in North Yorkshire.

Despite the encouraging news county councillor for the area, Heather Garnett, is launching a campaign to ensure the bypass goes through at last.

Councillor Garnett, who represents Killinghall, New Park and Hampsthwaite on the county authority, said: "It is needed to highlight the growing feeling of frustration about the huge wait for this road which has seen so many false dawns.

"The idea is to keep Killinghall bypass at the top of the agenda and not to let it disappear down anther cul-de-sac," she said.