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28
Oct 2021
Council 'confident' of resolving Kex Gill reroute objections
Two objections have been lodged against land orders for a £60 million reroute of the A59 at Kex Gill.
North Yorkshire County Council published plans in August to purchase 90 acres of land to build the new route.
A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” which cost the council £1.4 million.
The council needs to acquire the land before it can begin construction.
County council officials have confirmed to the Stray Ferret that two objections have been submitted against its side road orders. which are designed to buy private land in order to carry out the project.
However, authority bosses say they believe they can resolve the disputes.
Karl Battersby, corporate director, business and environmental services at the county council, said:
Read More:
- Highways boss confident Kex Gill reroute will avoid inquiry
- Public inquiry could delay £60m Kex Gill scheme by 15 months
- A59 Kex Gill ‘instability issue’ cost council £1.4 million
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, told the Stray Ferret this month that a “substantial objection” could trigger a public inquiry.
However, he added that he did not “see it as a severe risk” and was confident that the council could avoid an inquiry.
In a statement given to a full council meeting in July, Cllr Mackenzie warned that if a public inquiry was required then work could be delayed by up to 15 months.
Council officials said they wanted to come to an agreement with landowners over the price of land, rather than acquire it by a compulsory purchase order.
Construction of the scheme is expected to take 18 months.
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