One step closer: Re-routed A59 to bypass Kex Gill

The new road, which would be further north, would be more suitable to cope with the volume of traffic and would improve east-west links.

The scheme, which forms part of wider plans to upgrade the A59 around Harrogate, has been listed as a top priority in the Local Transport Plan, which was approved by North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive on Tuesday.

Coun Don Mackenzie, the authority’s executive member for Highways, said: “One of the top priorities in the report is to improve east-west connectivity.

“Once the work to stabilise the hillside at Kex Gill is completed, we want to re-route the A59 away from Kex Gill, which is a very difficult piece of road, in order that we don’t have to keep closing it because of landslips.”

The plan, which sets out transport strategies for the next 30 years, has been published as the authority continues to work to reopen the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton.

Efforts are under way to stabilise the hillside at Kex Gill following the winter storms which have left it in danger of collapsing on to the road, forcing the closure of the major east-west route.

It is expected to remain closed until the end of this month. It is hoped the plans to re-route the A59 will provide a long-term solution, but the cost is estimated at more than £30 million.]

The county council aims to secure funding through the Government’s Northern Powerhouse proposals.