A19 in North Yorkshire and Doncaster gets funding boost for safety improvements

The A19 is one of 17 "high-risk" roads in England, said the Department for Transport

Two Yorkshire councils will share nearly £6m to improve one of the most "high-risk" roads in the country.

The investment means the A19 in North Yorkshire and Doncaster could see a "significant" reduction in deaths and serious injuries, the government said.

The move is part of a £38m plan to improve road safety on England's 17 most dangerous roads.

A government spokesperson said it was "always looking at ways to help keep drivers and all road users safe".

Both Doncaster and North Yorkshire councils will roll out the funding over the next 20 years.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it expected improvements to prevent 11 fatal and serious-injury incidents.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "As part of the government's plan to improve roads across the country, we're providing an extra £38m so that local councils in England have the support they need to keep everyone safe, while reducing congestion and helping to grow the economy."

Across the country, improvements will include new junctions and roundabouts, improved signage and road markings, new road surfacing and landscape management and improved pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes, the DfT added.

Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, added: "Today's announcement means another 120 miles of safer road improvements will be delivered to the benefit of users.

"Such incremental improvements are key to achieving our collective aim for a safer road network as a whole."