Concerns have been raised about what impact inflation might have on the overall cost of the A59 Kex Gill new road scheme between Harrogate and Skipton.

Council officials first said the Department for Transport-funded scheme would cost £61.6 million but this rose to £68.8m last year due to inflationary costs, with the council covering the £7.2m shortfall from its reserves.

Since last summer, inflation has remained high and at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council's Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee last week, Andrew Murday, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale,  asked Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, who would pick up the bill should costs increase again.

Cllr Murday said:

In response, Mr Smith said he had not heard about any overspend.

He added:

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, Cllr Murday said inflation should be a “worry” as construction on the new road progresses.

He said:

A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said the project is not currently running over budget.

Last month, contractors completed clearing an area next to the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton ahead of building a new three-mile stretch of road.

The A59 is a key link for North Yorkshire but the section that includes Kex Gill has had a long history of landslips which has caused lenghty diversions for motorists and extra costs for the council.

Read more:

• Site cleared ahead new road being built at A59 Kex Gill


• Reduced speed limit at A59 Kex Gill to remain until September