A59 likely to reopen at Kex Gill next week

The A59 is likely to reopen at Kex Gill late next week after a four-and-a-half month closure.

North Yorkshire Council revealed the news at a public meeting in Hampsthwaite last night, at which it also emerged:

• The cost to repair the landslip has now exceeded than £2 million.
• Further A59 road closures are expected as part of the £68.8 million road realignment scheme.
• The council won’t be providing any financial support to businesses affected by the current closure.

Four senior council officials and a representative of contractors Sisk attended last night’s drop-in session at St Thomas a Becket Church, which they said would be the start of more regular meetings to keep people informed about work on the A59.

The four-kilometre road realignment scheme from Blubberhouses to Moor Lane is the largest capital programme the council has ever undertaken.

It is hoped the project will put an end to the frequent road closures caused by landslips at Kex Gill in recent years,

The most recent landslip, which the council attributed to wet weather, led to the road closing suddenly near Kex Gill on February 2.

The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton and the council has been under pressure to have the route reopened before the four-day Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate begins on July 9.

It had previously said it hoped the road would reopen by the end of June but Barrie Mason, the council’s assistant director for highways and transformation, told last night’s meeting work was a week ahead of schedule and subject to no further issues, “we are confident we will be able to reopen the road by the end of next week”.

Mr Mason said the road, which cuts through a Site of Special Scientific Interest, had been “future-proofed” against further problems by other work such as resurfacing and new drainage being carried out during the closure.

But with the realignment scheme not due to finish until summer 2026, he added:

Mr Mason said temporary traffic lights were likely to be installed at Blubberhouses from October this year to January 2025 but the road would remain open.

But he warned there were likely to be “some full closures” in late 2025 and early 2026 due to “tie-in work” when the new and old roads meet.

The council is contributing £12 million towards the £68.8 million realignment. The Department for Transport’s major road network fund is contributing the rest.

Richard Binks, the council’s head of major projects and infrastructure, said it was rare for the DfT to award such a large grant and it “showed North Yorkshire Council can deliver schemes”.

Business support

The Stray Ferret attended last night’s meeting and asked how much the landslip repairs had cost so far, and whether the council would be providing any financial support for businesses affected.

The council previously said it was “exploring” further support for businesses affected by the ongoing closure of the A59 at Kex Gill”.

After the Stray Ferret highlighted concerns by the owner of the Outside Inn, a coffee shop along the A59.

Mr Mason said the cost of work was “now in excess of £2 million” and a final figure would be released.

As for business help, he said it would help businesses apply to the government’s Valuation Office Agency for rate reductions.

Mr Mason said:

Subscription is coming July 1st. To find out what to expect click here.