The Council's Second Local Transport Plan (LTP2) includes two major scheme bids to reduce congestion in Beverley and Bridlington.  It also identifies the possible need for two further bids up to 2011.  These are:

• A164 (Humber Bridge to A1079); and
• A1079 partial dualing.

We are preparing a major scheme bid for the A164 for the end of July 2006.  We are looking into the merits of making a bid at a later date for partial dualing to the A1079.  

The LTP2 identifies the potential need for dualing on two key sections of the A1079 corridor to tackle congestion:

• Killingwoldgraves roundabout to Dunswell; and
• Shiptonthorpe to Pocklington area.

This will improve access between York and Hull, reduce congestion and provide safer overtaking opportunities.  We might also consider new roundabouts to define the end of dual carriageways and allow safer access onto the A1079.  These measures need to be considered in much more detail, with an expected scheme cost of £40-50m.

However, there are significant costs involved in developing a full 'Major Scheme' bid.  The cost of preparing a bid is typically upwards of £250,000 without a guarantee of success.  And, local authorities now have to provide 10% of the overall Scheme costs, which in this case could total £4 to £5 million.  As a result, the Council needs to carefully examine the strengths and weaknesses of the any potential scheme compared to alternatives, both within the East Riding and in the region. The Council must make sure that it is making best use of existing infrastructure before pursuing a major Transport scheme.

Any Major Scheme Bid would be considered against regional transport priorities outlined in the Regional Transport Strategy.  Earlier this year the Regional Transport Board did not prioritise proposals for partial dualing of the A64 between York and Scarborough, although as a Trunk road it is of higher strategic importance than the A1079.  Having said this, there are merits in dualing parts of the A1079.  If it is pitched in the correct context of linking two sub-regional centres (Hull to York) and improving access to the Ports, the scheme has positive prospects, provided there is spare regional funding available in future years and that the benefit cost ratio is acceptable. 

Safety on the A1079 is clearly a concern and the Humberside Safety Camera Partnership has recently installed a number of new safety cameras at key locations along the A1079 corridor, including Market Weighton Bypass, Arras Hill and Beverley Bypass.  The safety cameras have cost in the region of £500,000.  In addition, £200,000 is due to be spent on safety measures between Market Weighton and the Authority boundary in the next financial year.   The impact of these measures will need to be assessed to check how effective they have been in reducing the number of casualties.

Next steps

We will roll-out future road safety schemes to treat locations on the A1079 where there is a history of injury road accidents;

We will look into the merits of making a major scheme transport bid for the A1079 and its likely success; and

We will keep reviewing the funding situation at the regional level for major Transport schemes, particularly if any funding is released in future years as a result of committed schemes being withdrawn.