The discovery of great crested newts has delayed the A1(M) junction 47 upgrade near Knaresborough — which is now set to overrun by at least six months.
North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, also revealed today the scheme was set to cost considerably more than the original £7.7m budget.
It said spending had racked up to £10 million by September and “the latest estimated costs are the subject of detailed discussions with the council’s contractor and will be publicly available once agreement is confirmed”.
It said in a statement:
“Encountering unforeseen poor ground conditions on the southbound slip road has significantly restricted the speed of work taking place and the methods that can be used.
“In addition, the discovery of great crested newts caused a delay as they legally had to be relocated. During the coronavirus pandemic, operatives had to comply with secure site procedures which also extended the timescale.”
Work by contractors Farrans Construction began in September last year to widen three of the four slip roads and install traffic lights to prevent vehicles queueing.
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It was initially due to finish in September but the council said in August that “unforeseen ground conditions” meant it would finish this month.
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:
“We are looking forward to the completion of this important scheme, which anticipates significant residential and commercial development along the A59 corridor.
“The prolongation of the schedule is not expected to cause disruption to traffic flows at the junction and will be accompanied by additional safety work on the vehicle restraint systems on the A1M slip roads.
“Whilst progress on construction works will depend upon winter weather conditions, we are confident that we can fully complete the scheme by spring.
‘Long-term benefits’
As well as widening the slip roads, traffic signals will be installed on the roundabout to improve traffic flow. Signals will also be added to the T-junction between the A168 and the A59, a short distance from junction 47 on the York side to benefit drivers turning onto the A59 and to improve safety.
To the west of Junction 47, between the A1 and the Flaxby roundabout, a lane will be added for traffic travelling east, so there will be two lanes in each direction between those two roundabouts.
Cllr Andy Paraskos, member for the Ainsty division, added:
“The delays to the project are unfortunate, but unforeseen issues are always a risk on major schemes like this. We can look forward to the long-term benefits from next spring for residents, commuters and visitors for many years to come.”
The project has been funded by £2.47m from the government’s Local Growth Fund, secured by the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, along with contributions from the county council, National Highways and developer Forward Investment LLP.
Guilty plea after £140,000 of cannabis seized in Boroughbridge
Two men who were stopped on the A1(M) at Boroughbridge have admitted their part in a major cannabis-supply operation.
Police seized 14 kilos of cannabis worth £140,000 when they pulled over Silvio Kondi, 30, and Flamur Saliasi, 45, on September 30.
They were arrested and charged with possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.
Today, Kondi, of Tong Road, Farnley, near Leeds, and Saliasi, of no fixed address, appeared at York Crown Court where they pleaded guilty to the offence.
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Prosecutor Rachel Landing said the drugs had an estimated street value of £140,000.
She said that because of the sheer amount of the drugs seized, it had to be assumed that the two men had close ties to the “original source” of the supply chain.
Robert Mochrie, for Kondi, contested this allegation on behalf of his client, whom he said was merely a courier for the drug enterprise.
Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, adjourned sentence for the defendants’ bases of plea to be reviewed in terms of their respective roles within the drug operation. They will be sentenced on November 16.
£7.7m upgrade of junction 47 on A1(M) delayed by two monthsA £7.7 million project to upgrade junction 47 on the A1(M) at Flaxby has been delayed and is now scheduled to end in December.
Work began at the start of September last year to widen slip roads and install traffic lights to prevent vehicles queueing.
The project, carried out by contractors Farrans Construction on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, also involves upgrading the road network just off the junction.
It was due to end shortly but the completion date has been pushed back two months due to “unforeseen ground conditions”.
Barrie Mason, assistant director highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“Work to upgrade junction 47 on the A1(M) is progressing well and when complete will address congestion, improve road safety and support sustainable development in Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as supporting the county council’s objective of improving east-west connections across North Yorkshire.
“Unforeseen ground conditions have required extra work on the southbound on-slip carriageway and this has delayed the scheme.
“The original planned completion date of late September or early October has been revised to December this year.”
The project is being funded by the county council with £2.47m from the government’s Local Growth Fund along with contributions from Highways England and developer Forward Investment LLP.
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Motorists warned of major delays on A1M near Knaresborough
Motorists using the A1M near Knaresborough have been warned of a 60-minute delay following a collision this afternoon.
Highways England tweeted that the collision occurred southbound between junction 47 for Knaresborough and junction 46 for Wetherby.
Two lanes were closed, but North Yorkshire Police traffic officers have since removed the vehicles and reopened the lanes.
Highways England said that speeds on approach to the incident are less than 10mph.
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