MOTORISTS could see overnight delays next week as work begins to improve safety on a major trunk road through the Yorkshire Dales.

Hi-tech cats eyes to improve
safety on Dales road
Photo: Highways Agency

The £390,000 Highways Agency project will see solar powered cat's eyes installed on the A65 - a road which is estimated to carry between ten and twelve thousand vehicles every day.

The overnight works will begin next Monday (13 November) to install the cat's eyes on the road through three villages; Thorlby, Mearbeck and Austwick.

The work aims to reduce accidents on the busy road between Skipton and the M6 motorway. Statistics show that there have been four fatal, 13 serious and 46 slight accidents in Thorlby, Mearbeck and Austwick between 2001 and 2005.

Barry Heaps, Highways Agency route manager, said: "The Highways Agency has the safety of motorists as its highest priority. Our aim is to cut the number of accidents that are happening on these stretches of the A65.

"When possible we opt for high tech solutions that will do a good job which is why we have chosen solar powered cat's eyes. We also hope to reduce the disruption to motorists by carrying out the work overnight."

Our aim is to cut the number of accidents that are happening on these stretches of the A65

Barry Heaps - Highways Agency

Work will take place between 8pm and 6am and starts in Austwick on Monday 13 November until Tuesday 14 November; Thorlby on Wednesday 15 November until Thursday 16 November and Mearbeck on Thursday 16 November until Friday 17 November.

Speed limits of 10mph with convoy working will be in force at the start of the work in each village rising to 40mph as work continues. One carriageway only will be open to traffic and drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and take care when passing through the roadworks.

• Residents in three other villages along the A65 - Gargrave, Hellifield and Long Preston - are currently awaiting the outcome of a public inquiry in to whether the Highways Agency can ditch plans for bypasses around their congested homes. The bypass revocation orders are strongly opposed by residents, Craven District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.