A MAIN road is set to benefit from a £2.5m package of improvement works.

The A64 will be resurfaced, bus lay-bys upgraded and a stretch of cycle path added between Bramham and Scarborough over the next year.

The project aims to improve safety and tackle wear and tear on the busiest sections of the route.

About £350,000 is to be spent in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council on improvements to bus lay-bys between York and Scarborough.

The work is part of a Quality Bus Corridor project which will include raised kerbs to allow easy access to buses for disabled people, plus improved passenger information.

A lay-by will be constructed on the westbound carriageway at the Sand Hutton junction to improve safety.

A further £225,000 has been earmarked for a new stretch of cycle path between Rillington and West Knapton. The path is part of an ongoing Highways Agency project to provide a continuous cycle route between York and Scarborough.

A total of £340,000 is earmarked for central reserve safety fencing on a number of stretches including the dual carriageway stretch around York and the dual carriageway section at Whitwell.

Road markings and studs will be replaced between Malton and Scarborough and drainage work is to be carried out at Crambeck and at Tadcaster.

Highways Agency route manager David Phillips said: "This is a significant package of work which aims to improve the A64 for all users.

"Some of this work is a direct consequence of the comments we received from local people during the development of the A64 Route Management Strategy.

"Every effort will be made to reduce any delays by carrying out daytime work outside of peak hours, or in the evenings.

"We will also avoid carrying out work during the peak holiday season and during the Royal Ascot at York event from June 14 to 18."