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Jan 2023

Last Updated: 03/01/2023

Transport

Frustration over delay completing Pateley Bridge roadworks

by John Plummer

| 03 Jan, 2023

Red Brae Bank roadworks in Pateley Bridge.

A Pateley Bridge resident has expressed frustration at a delay in the completion of major roadworks in the town.

Temporary traffic lights have been on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley since storms caused a landslip in February 2020.

In October, North Yorkshire County Council began a £480,000 scheme to stabilise the road, which is on the steep slope out of Pateley to Greenhow Hill — the highest point in the Harrogate district.

The road was due to close on October 17 and re-open on completion of the work on December 16. But it remains closed , with the scheme now set to continue for at least another fortnight.

Former Pateley town councillor Chris Hawkesworth, who lives nearby, said he had been unable to find out why the scheme had been delayed and when it would be completed.

Mr Hawkesworth said large vehicles that ignored road closed signs and then turned on the narrow, steep hill had damaged his farmhouse wall and post box.

He said local people had to make an 11-mile detour to get into Pateley Bridge even though it is less than a mile away and businesses in the town were losing customers because of problems accessing the area.

He added some couriers refused to deliver in the area and rubbish was going uncollected. He said:

"I can't get any answers from anybody.

"I am glad the road is being sorted but you don't expect this amount of chaos and lack of communication around it. We are supposed to be a sophisticated country.

"Some businesses in Pateley are more than 50% down on their takings."

Andrew Murday, the Liberal Democrat county councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, told the Stray Ferret he had spoken to Mr Hawkesworth about the matter.

Cllr Murday said the project was "geologically difficult" and had proved trickier to resolve than expected but it was a major scheme that was close to completion.

He said he understood how frustrating it was and sympathised with those affected, adding one delivery lorry had got stuck on the minor road Peat Lane when the driver tried to find a shortcut around the diversion. Cllr Murday said

"Of course people are going to complain and they are extremely inconvenienced and some businesses are being put under stress over it."

January 18 completion — depending on weather

North Yorkshire County Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said:

“Reconstruction work on Red Brae Bank, between Greenhow and Pateley Bridge, is coming to an end. This is essential work however we appreciate the disruption the lengthy closure has caused, and we are grateful for the patience of all road users.

"Our contractors created a path to allow access for pedestrians and cyclists during the Christmas and New Year period.

“Work has taken longer than anticipated as it became clear that we needed to increase the depth and length of the excavation to lay the foundations. Final works involve reconstructing the surface of the road.

“We expect the road to reopen on Wednesday, January 18. All works are weather dependent so we will keep the public updated if there are any changes to the schedule.”