SERIOUS concerns have been raised about safety works on one of North Yorkshire's main roads which have still to be carried out.

Councillors claim communications with both the Highways Agency and contractors have deteriorated over the past few months.

They are now calling for a meeting with the agency to discuss their concerns over the works to the A64, which runs across the county from York to the coast.

A Highways Agency route management strategy highlighted improvements that need to be made to the trunk road. They include improved safety in accident blackspots and better road crossing facilities.

But the county council's Ryedale area committee raised concerns that the work - including more bus shelters and junction improvements at each end of the Malton bypass - had not yet been done.

The county council's executive has backed the committee and registered its dissatisfaction with the agency.

Executive member Councillor Murray Naylor said: "There seems to be a lack of any real improvement to the safety of the A64 in the Ryedale area."

An agency spokesman said they would be happy to have a meeting with Coun Naylor.

The spokesman said: "Work will start on site in late April on the installation of two bus shelters in Sherburn.

"The Highways Agency has identified the need for improved access to the A64 at Malton.

"Nine junctions on the A64 are currently being considered for improvement work, six of which are in the Ryedale area.

"In addition, further safety improvement work has been undertaken at Golden Hill, the Jinnah Restaurant and the Brambling Fields junction, and a cycleway is under construction at Staxton."