THE A64 York to Malton road should be upgraded in a bid to save lives, say council highways chiefs.

There are renewed calls to make the route dual carriageway along the entire 20-mile stretch north-east of York.

But the Highways Agency has unveiled a suggested action plan - with no signs of the trunk road being dualled for at least a decade.

In a report to North Yorkshire County Council's Ryedale Area Committee tomorrow, the head of environmental enhancement, Chris Millns, will urge members not to accept the agency's recommendations to keep the major road as a single carriageway between York and Malton.

He says: "The county council's view is that this section of the route should be upgraded to dual carriageway, as this will secure the capacity and road safety benefits which are required."

There are concerns that the notorious stretch of road between Welburn and Malton, including accident blackspot Golden Hill, must be dualled to prevent further fatalities.

Mr Millns says: "This section is an even higher priority, based on the incidence and severity of personal injury accidents on the route."

Last month, coroner Michael Oakley spoke out about the A64's appalling safety record.

He accused the Government of being "lost in the mists of time" by failing to significantly upgrade the trunk road.

Members of the public were given a chance to have their say over the future of the A64 at a series of road shows.

More than 1,500 people visited exhibitions on the route management strategy, and at least 2,000 written responses were handed in to the Highways Agency.

The official consultation period ends today, although area committees, including the one to be held tomorrow, have still to give their comments.

County council officers are urging members to support some of the Highways Agency's recommendations.

They acknowledge that some progress has already been made to upgrade the road.

But there are fears that not enough will be done to improve its poor safety record.

Proposals to introduce better street lighting at junctions and in roadside villages are essential, Mr Millns says in his report.

He adds: "There are a number of critical locations, especially where the incidence of night-time accidents is high, where such improvements are necessary and which should be introduced as quickly as possible."

The Ryedale Area Committee will meet tomorrow at 7pm, in Sand Hutton village hall, near York, and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Updated: 13:27 Tuesday, April 02, 2002