PM refuses to commit to A64 improvements

Rishi Sunak told BBC Radio York there was a "clear case" for dualling the road

The prime minister has refused to commit to backing improvements to a major road in Yorkshire.

Campaigners have long called for more of the A64, which links Leeds, York and Scarborough, to be made into a dual carriageway to cut congestion and boost the economy.

National Highways has proposed upgrading a stretch of the road between Hopgrove and Barton-le-Willows.

But speaking to BBC Radio York on Monday, Rishi Sunak said the plans were still "being looked at".

It comes exactly a year after the roads minister said he was "hopeful" of the A64 being dualled.

Asked about improvements to the road specifically, Mr Sunak said: "There's a clear case for that.

"That's being looked at and has been for a while with the Department for Transport."

Campaigners say dualling the A64 would reduce congestion and boost the local economy

He said: "The local MPs are making a strong case for it and are in engagement with the department about when down the line the funding will be available to deliver that.

"So that's something that's under consideration."

Mr Sunak, who is MP for the North Yorkshire constituency of Richmond, added that there was "no firm deadline" for the scheme.

He added: "Obviously as a relatively local MP to that particular stretch I know the challenges that it poses."

The news comes as the government announced Yorkshire would get around £1bn of re-allocated HS2 money to spend on transport infrastructure projects on Monday.

Mr Sunak said local authorities would decide how and where to spend the cash.

Responding to Mr Sunak's interview, the Labour MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell, said: “After 14 years of ignoring the transport needs of the north, the prime minister cannot spell out a transport vision, not even for North Yorkshire, where his constituency is located.

"We urgently need a sustainable, integrated transport system across North Yorkshire which has good connectivity and reliability across the north and beyond."

Residents and visitors in the village of Stockton-on-the Forest, which lies just off the A64, told the BBC on Monday that improvements to the road were badly needed.

Tony Bramley, 65, said: "It's a road that we avoid if we're going to Scarborough.

"On a good day you can get through quickly, but generally you could be stuck for two or three hours.

Gina and Tony Bramley said that they avoided the A64 if they visit Scarborough

"It's not fit for purpose. It's impeding development in Scarborough. It should have been upgraded 30 years ago."

Dance teacher Tina Hull, also 65, said: "We go to Malton every week to do a dance class and it's a bit of a nightmare.

"It's desperately needs a dual carriageway extending out so you can get to Filey and Scarborough, because you just get stuck all the time."

Tina Hull described the road as a "nightmare"

Margaret Sewell said: "I would think in Scarborough in the summer you don't have a chance with everyone going back and forward on Saturday and Sunday. It's terrible.

"We've all just got used to it in York I think. People who live in York aren't too much affected because you can plan accordingly.

Margaret Sewell said making the A64 a three-lane road would be beneficial, but that doing so would be difficult

"To make it a three-lane [road], it's not going to be easy because it's all farmland.

"People don't want to give up their property do they?"

Analysis: Richard Edwards, BBC Radio York political reporter

The general election might not have been officially called yet, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is in campaign mode.

Mr Sunak swept into BBC Radio York's office earlier, 30 miles or so down the A19 from his Richmond constituency, to talk about how money diverted from the northern leg of HS2 will be spent on transport projects in his Yorkshire backyard.

The prime minister seemed to be on good form as he pushed his "clear plan" to level up the country, stating Yorkshire would receive £947m of that diverted HS2 cash.

But he was unable to answer North Yorkshire’s big transport question, when will work start on turning more of the A64 into dual carriageway?

Some transport improvements are already happening here.

Progress is being made on plans for a railway station at Haxby, near York, and the extension of the £2 fare on bus services has been welcomed by passengers.

The money announced today is not available until 2025 and voters will have to decide if that is enough to keep the Conservative Party's show on the road when the election is called.