The new road, also bypassing Leeming Bar and Aiskew, won the endorsement of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Transport Board at its meeting last Friday, with the board putting the scheme forward as a priority for funding by the Department for Transport.

The announcement has been widely welcomed and North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive will now be asked to make a decision on whether to move forward with the proposal which requires final approval by the Department for Transport.

County Coun Clare Wood, who represents North Yorkshire on the Regional Transport Board, said: “The endorsement by the board is most welcome and now provides the opportunity for the county council to take forward the Bedale - Aiskew - Leeming Bar bypass scheme”.

County Coun John Fort, Executive Member for Highways, also welcomed the board’s endorsement .

“The bypass scheme seeks to provide improved accessibility to Wensleydale for residents and visitors alike whilst reducing the through traffic in the communities of Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar. It would result in numerous benefits such as improved road safety and reduced congestion.”

County Coun John Weighell, divisional member for Bedale and leader of the county council, also welcomed the news.

“A new by-pass would be a tremendous boon to these communities, particularly Bedale, which suffers considerably from traffic congestion,” he said.

“It would assist in the town’s prosperity, and at the same time be an entirely logical element in the new transport framework centred on the upgrading of the A1 and the new A1 junction at Leeming Bar.”

Last week the Government announced that it would proceed with the upgrade of the A1 between Dishforth and Barton to motorway standard, with work due to start later this year.