Highways England to begin further safety improvements on A19 in North Yorkshire after completion of Mount Grace Priory junction works

Highways England have announced that they are currently working on plans for the road between the A172 Tontine turn-off and Trenholme Lane, and are about to start work on new designs for a 10-kilometre section between Ellerbeck and Knayton, near Thirsk.

A new junction has already been completed at Mount Grace Priory and a gap in the cental reservation blocked after local MPs Rishi Sunak and Kevin Hollinrake raised concerns about its safety following the death of Sonia Rose, 83, from Carlton Miniott. Mrs Rose died in 2018 when her car was struck head-on by a vehicle which had strayed across the gap.

Mr Hollinrake, who represents Thirsk and Malton, said “The improvements at Mount Grace will undoubtedly save lives on this busy stretch of road between Teesside and the A1 and further measures are needed at these other sections so that people travelling along this fast road can be safe. I am very pleased that Highways England is delivering on its promises to make this road safer for everyone. Once the designs are completed I will support it in its efforts to secure funding.”

Mrs Rose’s daughter, Katy Rose, added “As a family it is a terrific relief that the Mount Grace Priory turn-off is now so much safer. We were also delighted to hear the news that funding has now been received by Highways England for preliminary investigations into two further nearby stretches of the A19 dual carriageway.

"We are very grateful to everyone concerned with the campaign, our MPs Kevin Hollinrake and Rishi Sunak for their support and time, Highways England and of course everyone who got behind our petition. We feel a great sense of pride that the A19 is becoming a safer road for everyone. We are certain Mum would have been very proud of this too”.

It is expected that the detailed designs for the first of the two projects will be completed by September and followed by a consultation process. They will be submitted for funding approval in 2022-2023 with those for the second stretch following a year later.