Harrogate motorists braced for 6 months of Leeds Road roadworks

Contractors will begin building the roundabout, as well as a new junction, on April 25 as part of plans to redevelop the former Dunlopillo site.

The road will provide access to a new dementia care facility being built by dementia care specialists Vida Healthcare, as well as a planned residential development on the site.

Work on the new roundabout will take place on the A61 to the south of Spacey Houses, providing access to the new care home being built behind Stratstone BMW.

Despite discussions on traffic management taking place between the developer and North Yorkshire County Council, Leeds Road commuters still face the prospect of additional disruption.

The contractor, AE Yates, warned there would be significant periods of ‘off peak’ traffic control with temporary traffic lights in use between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Coun Don Mackenzie, executive member for Highways, said: “The county council has worked closely with the developer to minimise disruption to road users and will monitor progress during the project.

“This is a very significant development at a principal entry point into the town.

“The construction of the new roundabout, considered the most effective way of creating access onto the A61, is a major piece of work, but much of it can be carried out away from the highway.

“Both the county council and the contractor know that disruption to the Leeds Road needs to be kept to a minimum.”

According to AE Yates, the majority of the work is due to be constructed off lined, meaning motorists shouldn’t be inconvenienced for the entire six-and-a-half months.

However, traffic is believed to be interrupted for three weeks in September with the final phase of work involving traffic light control working and possibly an overnight closure.

The work is estimated to finish in October with the care home, which is currently being built, due to open the following month.

Vida Grange will become a state-of-the-art care home, providing 124 en-suite bedrooms and incorporating eight individual homes within the building.

Vida Healthcare, said they would endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum but added traffic restrictions would be lifted for the Great Yorkshire Show and Harrogate Flower Festival.