THOUSANDS of pounds have been pledged for improvements to a North Yorkshire road, which has claimed five lives this year.

The A61 between Harrogate and Ripon is renowned for its twists and turns, and limited opportunities to overtake, and frustration and speed have played a part in numerous accidents.

Inquests have yet to be held into the deaths of two Harrogate motorcyclists, killed in an accident near South Stainley, in October.

Just days later, a 69-year-old woman from Melmerby, near Ripon, also died when her car was involved in a head-on collision less than half a mile from the same spot. In August, a 27-year-old man, from Durham, died when his car was involved in a head-on collision with a truck, while a 22-year-old Harrogate van driver also died near South Stainley, in April.

When North Yorkshire County Council's new area committee met in Killinghall yesterday, campaigners fighting for improvements were promised the authority would be loosening its purse strings, committing £113,500 to improvements over the next few months.

The Bishop Monkton junction, parts of the road through Wormald Green, the Brearton junction, and the Ripley roundabouts are all earmarked in phase one.

The second phase, still subject to Government approval, would see another £78,500 spent on the Brearton and Nidd junctions, and parts of the road through South Stainley, in the next financial year.

Tory county councillor Richard Thomas, whose son was killed in a road accident four years ago, has been among the leading A61 campaigners.

He said: "I think the proposals will go some way towards making the road safer, but we also have to educate the driver.

"I understand signs are also to go up, warning motorists of the road's reputation in terms of deaths and injuries, but we have to balance that with the impact on the environment.

"Another longer-term suggestion is a 50mph limit between Harrogate and Ripon.''