New bypass on landslip-hit route opens to traffic

6 hours ago

Louise FewsterYorkshire

News image — Traffic is pictured travelling along the new stretch of the A59 at Kex Gill that opened on Tuesday

North Yorkshire Council Vehicles travelling on a newly laid road with red and white cones lining the road on the far right of the picture. To the left of the picture is soil and a few light brown stones with short green grass. — Traffic is pictured travelling along the new stretch of the A59 at Kex Gill that opened on Tuesday

A major new road in North Yorkshire has officially opened to traffic, three years after construction began.

The £82m Kex Gill bypass near Blubberhouses replaced a section of the A59 which had seen 15 landslips since 2000, forcing it to close on a number of occasions.

The road is seen as a vital connection between Harrogate and Skipton, linking the east and west of England.

Malcolm Taylor, who oversees highways at North Yorkshire Council, said the route would "bring major benefits for communities in the county".

The project to upgrade the road has faced several delays blamed on adverse weather.

Taylor said the scheme was the largest the council had undertaken.

"There have been significant challenges to create the new road in such a remote location in often extremely poor weather conditions."

He said this was a "moment that we have been aiming for throughout such a complex and detailed highways project".

An aerial view of the new Kex Gill bypass, a tarmacked road running through a predominantly rural area with fields and moorland on either side. — Construction of the A59 at Kex Gill began three years ago

Most of the work on the nearly 3-mile (4.2km) route has been completed, with only the tie-ins to the existing road network as well as landscaping works still to be finished.

More than 12,700 native trees have been planted across the site, along with biodiversity measures designed to support local wildlife.

A 30mph speed restriction will be in place while the remaining works are completed.

Two of the three lanes of the new section of the A59, which includes a crawler lane for slow-moving traffic, will be available for motorists to use until all elements of the scheme are finished.

The A59 was identified by the government as one of the most important strategic routes nationally as it provided a key link running across the country.

Taylor said the opening of the new road was "testament to the dedication, tenacity and hard work of everyone involved in ensuring this project has become a reality".

The scheme also includes new routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, together with 2.5 miles (4km) of natural stone walls.

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