The gap in the central reservation which led to the death of a pensioner on the A19 is to be closed following pressure from Rishi Sunak and fellow North Yorkshire MP Kevin Hollinrake.
M Sunak, MP for Richmond, and Mr Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, called on Highways England (HE) to close the gap just south of the Cleveland Tontine, near Osmotherley, following an inquest into the death of 83-year-old Sonia Rose.
The inquest heard that Mrs Rose, of Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, died when a van travelling south crossed through a gap in the central reservation of the dual carriageway and hit her car travelling north head-on.
Coroner Michael Oakley expressed his concerns about the Stony Lane gap where Mrs Rose died and also the nearby gap for access to Mount Grace Priory when he recorded his verdict.
Now Highways England has promised to close the Stony Lane gap by March next year, subject to consultation with users of the gap, and work with English Heritage, owners of Mount Grace Priory, to fund junction improvements and closure of the gap there.
In a letter to the MPs, Nick Harris, HE Operations Executive Director, says the agency will also look to upgrade the crash barriers at Mount Grace pending closure of the gap. At the inquest, it was suggested the type of barrier in use at this point may have contributed to the fatal crash.
In their letter, the MPs also asked that other gaps in the central reservation on the A19 be reviewed with a view to closure where it was possible and did not cause major disruption or diversion for local residents.
In his response, Mr Harris says a study carried out in 2013 on A19 safety improvements would be updated with a view to "minimising crossing points, whilst considering the impact on communities in the area."
Mr Sunak said he was delighted by Highways England's prompt response. "Closure of this gap where Mrs Rose died will immediately improve safety while not inconveniencing unduly local residents who have used the gap.
"There are obvious alternative access routes using the flyover at the Tontine A172 junction and the underpass at the Osmotherley A684 turn-off.
"I also welcome the announcement about the upgrading of the barrier system at the Mount Grace junction and the news that agency is working closely with English Heritage over plans for a visitor centre there and the need to improve the existing dangerous access."
Mr Hollinrake said Mrs Rose had been one of his constituent and he had met members of her family to discuss the tragedy.
"I have been pleased to support the family's campaign on this issue. While closure of the gap comes too late for Mrs Rose it will mean a safer road in the future.
"I am also pleased that the agency is to dust off the 2013 study of the road and look afresh at all the junctions and gaps along the route of this vital north-south artery."
Ms Katy Rose, Sonia Rose's daughter, said she was very encouraged by the Highways England response and thanked the MPs and the coroner Mr Michael Oakley for their intervention.