Julian Meets Highways Agency to Discuss Hopgrove Upgrades
January 26, 2015
Julian has met with senior representatives from the Highways Agency to discuss their plans to upgrade the Hopgrove roundabout, and potentially dual the A64, following the announcement of up to £250m in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
George Osborne’s announcements late last year of the plans for the grade separation of the Hopgrove junction were welcomed by many in York, including Julian, who said at the time that he was delighted that “this important junction linking the A64 to the northern ring road will now finally be upgraded”.
Interest in the proposals was exacerbated in the weeks that followed by Transport Minister and Scaborough MP Robert Goodwill’s calls for the A64 to be dualled between Hopgrove and Whitwell on the Hill, as part of the project.
Julian requested the meeting with Vanessa Gilbert, the Regional Director of the Highways Agency, and her colleagues, to try to find out more about the proposals. He also used the meeting to raise the concerns of Stockton on the Forest residents about the planned trial closure of Barr Lane, which connects the village to the A64.
Commenting, Julian said:
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss this hugely important project with the people responsible for seeing it through. It was clear from our discussions that the plans are still in their very early stages and nothing has been set in concrete. However, it’s also clear that the Agency are fully aware of the strong desire among local residents for as much of the A64 to be upgraded as possible, alongside the Hopgrove roundabout. The only downside is that spades are unlikely to hit the ground for another few years, however I have pledged to work with the agency to do whatever I can to facilitate an early start date and to maximise the benefit to road users.
“I was also keen to stress that whilst upgrades to the A64 were very welcome news indeed, many residents feel that northern ring road is forever lagging behind. The Agency recognise the strategic importance of the A1237 and they agree that it is crying out for major upgrades, but are unfortunately unable to assist as it is a local authority controlled road.
“I was also glad of the opportunity to stress the need for proper consultation with the residents of Stockton on the Forest over the Agency’s plans to close Barr Lane once these have been formally set out.”
Pictured: Julian with Mandy Foster from the Highways Agency and local resident Gavin Shillito.
