A64 bus stop row

3:10pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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A WAR of words has broken out over a long-awaited bus stop beside the busy A64 at Bilbrough Top.

The stop on the eastbound carriageway opposite the service station was removed six years ago when a bridge was put in at the location following The Press’ successful Close The Gaps road safety campaign.

Since then, wrangles over the positioning of the bus stop have delayed its installation.

But now Coun Brian Percival, the deputy leader of Selby District Council, claims a decision has been made and the bus stop will be in place by the beginning of next year.

He joined Selby MP John Grogan at a meeting with the Highways Agency on Friday.

However, the Highways Agency is insisting the scheme has been allocated funding – but the location and completion day have yet to be confirmed.

Coun Percival said: “I am astounded, having been told that this will be completed in January 2009, which in itself is six years too late.

“Not to have a firm date now is unacceptable to the community. If needs be we can reflect upon what was said at the inquest of Ladislava Hosova.”

Mrs Hosova, of Tadcaster, was hit by a motorcycle and seven other vehicles on the eastbound carriageway of the A64, at Bilbrough Top, in December 2006.

The incident happened minutes after the 43-year-old got off the 7.21am bus from Tadcaster to York at the Street House Cottages bus stop, opposite the Travelodge, where she worked.

Mr Percival said a bus stop next to the flyover would encourage people to use the bridge rather than dicing with death by crossing the dual-carriageway road.

Mr Grogan said: “The police wanted the bus stop to be put off the A64, in the services. The bus company Coastliner wanted it on the A64.

“The solution is to put it near where the original one was and have done with it. The Highways Agency has the money there and the contractors are designing it now.”

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: “We are aware of local concerns about safety issues for pedestrians using bus services on the A64 at Bilbrough Top.

“In an attempt to address these issues, money has been identified in the agency’s current 2008/09 budget to provide a new bus stop.

“A number of sites are currently under consideration – the final location will be agreed following satisfactory completion of formal consultations with the police, parish councils bus company and other affected parties such as landowners.

“The Highways Agency is aiming to complete the consultations and design work in time for a start of work on the new site in January.”