Government announces £56m for A59 re-routing at Kex Gill

Work could start on improvements to the A59 between Skipton and Harrogate later this year following years of delays and closures due to landslips.

The Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has pledged up to £56m for the construction of a new carriageway - meaning traffic will no longer need to use the existing section of the road just west of Blubberhouses.

The work will be almost entirely funded by the Department for Transport and led by North Yorkshire County Council, which will meet the remaining £4m cost of the £60m project.

The Kex Gill section of the A59 has caused major disruption in the area for years, as it is prone to landslips and road closures which have resulted in high maintenance costs, delayed journey times and unsafe conditions for drivers. Officials say the proposed works will offer 'a more reliable alternative' for road users looking to travel the route, while also meaning traffic will no longer have to be diverted through Ilkley and Otley when the A59 is closed.

Pending final approvals, construction could begin by this autumn and is expected to take around 18 months.

Options for re-routing the section of road were first put forward in 2016 - you can see the planned route at northyorks.gov.uk/a59-kex-gill-re-alignment

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: "I know that residents have been frustrated by frequent road closures at Kex Gill caused by landslips in the area. Our funding will go a long way towards addressing those problems, making journeys more reliable for people travelling between Harrogate and Skipton.

"As a Government we're committed to levelling up across the country and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic – improving transport infrastructure in the North is absolutely vital to both of those ambitions."

North Yorkshire County Council leader Councillor Carl Les said: "We whole-heartedly welcome this announcement. The confirmation of funding is an important milestone towards bringing this much-needed project to fruition. The A59 is a vital east-west connection and a continuing priority for the county council.

"It is essential for the prosperity of businesses within North Yorkshire and the wider region that this route is safe, reliable and resilient. The current road, with its history of landslips and resultant closures, cannot guarantee those things, so we urgently need this realignment."

 

More from Latest local news

Rombalds Radio apps



Today's weather

  • Skipton

    Light rain

    High: 9°C | Low: 2°C

  • Ilkley

    Light rain

    High: 9°C | Low: 3°C

  • Keighley

    Light rain

    High: 8°C | Low: 3°C