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31
Mar 2021
Rural roadworks in North Yorkshire suffer £13m axe
Concerns have been raised for North Yorkshire's rural economy after £13 million of planned roadworks were dropped due to government funding cuts.
North Yorkshire County Council confirmed “a long list” of road repair schemes and projects to prevent highways from deteriorating across its 9,200km road network has been postponed.
It blamed this on receiving less government funding than expected when it set this year’s roadworks programme.
The cuts come as £1 million is being spent on active travel plans in Harrogate, including new cycle lanes and initiatives to encourage walking.
Meanwhile, £7.9 million has been secured from government for the town's Station Gateway project, which could include the pedestrianisation of James Street and a single lane on Station Parade.
Kex Gill goes ahead
Government spending on major road schemes remains intact, meaning the £500 million on creating a final stretch of dual carriageway on the A66 between the M6 and Scotch Corner and £56 million on re-routing the A59 around a landslip-prone area at Kex Gill will go ahead.
But some smaller road maintenance projects will be shelved.
Cllr Gareth Dadd, the authority’s finance boss and deputy leader, said this would hit rural businesses and the impact of the cuts would disproportionately impact on North Yorkshire’s economy.
Read more:
- Harrogate walking and cycling schemes: latest plans revealed
- Residents welcome decision to drop Oatlands Drive one-way scheme
- Harrogate could get county’s first CYCLOPS junction
He said:
Hopeful of attracting more funds
Cllr Dadd said the authority had battled for decades to try and maintain roads, with some success compared to other parts of the country.
He added the council’s determination to maintain roads was displayed by the amount of resources it spent on winter maintenance.
He said:
The council’s highways boss Cllr Don Mackenzie said he remained hopeful the council would attract additional funding for highways repairs later this year.
He said the authority consistently tried to reduce future repair bills by operating a policy of good maintenance. He said:
In response, Thirsk and Malton Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake said Cllr Dadd had raised “a very good point”, which he would raise with his neighbouring constituency MP and Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
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