A safety initiative on the Great North Road has been launched.

A £1.5m bridge, replacing the junction at Rainton Crossroads, near Ripon, was formally opened by the Highways Agency.

The single-lane bridge, with side roads and traffic signals, has been created to reduce accidents.

In the five years to the end of 2002, there were 50 slight-injury accidents, 35 serious-injury accidents and four fatal crashes at the scene.

The improvements were recommended as part of the A1 Bramham to Barton safety study which was announced in January, 2001. They are an interim measure until the full upgrade of that section of the A1 to motorway standard.

Highways Agency northern divisional director Arthur Ashburner said: "The Government is committed to providing a safe road network, and the new bridge over the A1 at Rainton Crossroads will address the specific safety problems at this junction.

"The closure of the old central reserve junction, and its replacement with the bridge, will provide a safer crossing of the busy A1 for local people."

"We will continue to monitor its progress, and the bridge will remain in place unless and until a permanent alternative is provided as part of the full motorway upgrade of the Dishforth to Barton section of the A1."

Work on the bridge began in February and also provides an additional crossing for cyclists.