Contractors are now being invited to tender for the £60m scheme to realign the A59 at Kex Gill.
- Government funding and planning approval was confirmed earlier this year
- Invitation to tender marks the latest stage in the work to secure this major trans-Pennine route for generations to come.
- The A59 between Harrogate and Skipton is an important east-west link not only within North Yorkshire, but also into West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Humber ports
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said:
We are pushing forward with this scheme to provide a safe, reliable route for residents, businesses and visitors.
This stretch of road has experienced closures in recent years because of land slips. These have disrupted travel, enforced long diversions and been costly. The realignment of the route will provide much better connectivity for all road users.
Cllr Stanley Lumley, Member for Pateley Bridge division, said:
This is another step towards the delivery of this long-anticipated scheme. Locals, commuters and visitors will all benefit from enhanced safety and reliability of the road. We look forward to work beginning.
The County Council is aiming to start construction of the scheme on site as soon as possible. Work could start as early as autumn this year, but this is subject to satisfactory completion of all the necessary statutory processes.
At a loss as to why this is being done. Why not just ban HGVs off the A59? They damage all the roads and buildings they pass, no building over 20 years old was designed to withstand the vibration and noise generated by HGV. They should only be used for bulk transport on motorways.
Don’t be ridiculous! This is a main arterial route between North Yorkshire & Lancashire. There are no alternative routes foe the amount of freight using this route. Looking to the south there is Bradford with all its already congested roads whilst to the north you’re looking at turning a 53 mile journey to say Preston into a 234 mile journey. This is a MAIN TRUNK ROAD which has needed upgrading for years so this scheme is way overdue.