A study of dangerous crossing points on the A19 in North Yorkshire will be completed by June this year, highways chiefs have said.
The study was commissioned in December 2017 after an inquest into the death of a pensioner who died when a van crossed from one carriageway to another through a gap and hit her car head-on.
The Coroner and two North Yorkshire MPs – Kevin Hollinrake and Rishi Sunak – joined with the family of the woman who died – 83-year-old Sonia Rose, of Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk – to demand safety improvements.
Specifically they asked for the gap near Osmotherley where Mrs Rose died to be closed as soon as possible and that gaps and crossing points on the road are reviewed with a view to closure where feasible.
They also asked that the ends of crash barriers be updated. The Coroner’s report on the accident said an old-style barrier with a ramp end contributed to the fatal accident.
At a meeting organised by the two MPs, senior Highways England (HE) officials updated Mrs Rose’s daughter, Katy, and her brother John on progress with the review and the safety improvements.
In addition to saying the junctions review would be completed in June, Richard Marshall, regional director for HE Yorkshire and the North-East, said:
- The Stony Lane gap just south of the Cleveland Tontine where Mrs Rose died will be closed early in 2019 after completion of the necessary legal process;
- A plan to close the gap at nearby Mount Grace Priory and construct slip roads was in preparation with English Heritage – owners of the Priory – and would be in place prior to opening of an visitor centre at the site;
- Work on barrier end improvements at Mount Grace Priory has started.
It was agreed there would be a further meeting to discuss the findings of the junctions review in July.
Mr Hollinrake, the MP for the Thirsk and Malton constituency in which Mrs Rose lived, said he was pleased by the progress made at the meeting.
He added: “This was a terrible and tragic accident which must never happen again. I welcome the news that the study into what needs to be done to make the road safer for everyone will be completed by June and that the Stony Lane Gap will be closed early next year along with improvements to the ineffective crash barrier ends at Mount Grace Priory – the type which contributed to the accident involving Mrs Rose.’
Mr Sunak, the MP in whose Richmond constituency the accident happened, said he looked forward to seeing the results of the study.
“We know a good number of the gaps on the route – like the one at Stony Lane - can be closed without unduly inconveniencing local residents and farmers.
“We were told that any proposal to close specific gaps will be subject to consultation with the local highways authority, the police and local people.
“I welcome that commitment and also the safety improvements we all want to see.”
Mr Sunak said he and his Parliamentary colleague would continue to press for the funding necessary for improvements to the road and, ultimately, upgrading of the A19 to an expressway with more motorway-standard junctions.