The A59 between Harrogate and Skipton is expected to be closed at Kex Gill until at least July.
North Yorkshire Council said in a press release this afternoon repair work costing £750,000 will begin on April 15.
Irish construction firm Sisk, which is carrying out the nearby £68.8 million three-mile realignment, has been appointed to undertake the work. Ivor King will carry out specialist steel sheet piling.
Today’s press release said there will be extended hours and night working to allow the road to be reopened before the end of June.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:
“We have reached a point where we can appoint a contractor and decide on the most efficient and cost-effective repair scheme, with preparatory work now underway.
“The repairs will include driving long sheets of steel into the ground to create a structural wall. Once this has been completed, contractors will fill in the excavated area between the steel sheets and the road to provide strength and stability.
“Relocating communications cables and completing drainage and resurfacing works once the area is filled also forms part of the scheme.”
The road, which runs across a rural stretch of the county on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is deemed to be one of the most important strategic routes nationally as it provides a key link running across the country.

The damaged verge
It closed suddenly on February 2 after a crack appeared in the verge.
The council has attributed this to wet weather over the past few months but some residents have claimed it is due to the impact of the realignment on the landscape.
Mr Battersby said:
“There have been more than 10 landslips on the A59 at Kex Gill, between Church Hill and North Moor Road, so the ongoing re-alignment scheme is needed now more than ever.
“Until the road is reopened, we advise road users to follow the signed diversion route. We would again like to thank people for their patience and reiterate that we are doing all we can to complete the repair as quickly and safely as possible.”
Further details of the diversion route are available on the council’s roadworks map here.
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Still no date when work will begin on closed road near Kex Gill
There is still no date for when work will begin to repair the landslip that led to the closure of the A59 at Blubberhouses.
The road, which is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton, closed suddenly on February 2 when a crack appeared on the verge.
The council has said wet weather caused the crack in the landslip-prone area.
However Alistair Young, whose house in Blubberhouses overlooks the closed section of road, has claimed previous landslips occurred about half a mile away at Kex Gill, where the council is working on a £68.8 million road realignment. Mr Young believes the council’s work on the Kex Gill realignment has caused the landslip.

The closed section of road at Blubberhouses.
Seven weeks on from the road being closed, repair work has yet to begin.
Barrie Mason, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director highways and transportation, parking services, street scene, parks and grounds, gave an update in a video published on the council’s social media channels on Friday.
Mr Mason, who was filmed speaking on the closed road, said:
“We are working hard on a design solution involving sheet piles, which is where we put interlocking sheets of metal into the ground to stabilise the ground and stabilise the road.
“We are working hard to get that design finalised and programmed as soon as possible.
“As soon as possible we will be out on site and getting this road reopened.”
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Readers’ Letters: ‘Abusive beggars’ and intimidating teens in Harrogate
Readers’ Letters is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
This letter is in response to the Trading Hell series we ran this week. It followed a three-month investigation into anti-social behaviour and crime in parts of Harrogate.
Congratulations to you for raising this issue.
I don’t have a specific situation or incident to report, but I have noticed a huge increase in what might be called passive aggressive behaviour in town.
The beggars are abusive, the teenagers look at you as if you have encroached on their patch and there is a general feeling that something is about to kick off”. I don’t think I have ever seen a police officer on foot in town over the past five years or so.
But why does it always have to be somebody’s fault other than the perpetrator of the misdemeanour? Sadly, this reflects a breakdown in society as us old timers (I’m in my 60s) comment upon time after time.
Unfortunately, I can only see the situation deteriorating further.
Punishments need to fit crimes and these pariahs of society need to learn that their anti-social behaviour is the road to nowhere.
John Chadwick, Huby
The Kex Gill saga is an ‘absolute farce’
This letter is in response to one man’s frustration over a lack of communication about the ongoing A59 at Kex Gill closure.
I 100% agree with Mr Young. This situation is an absolute farce, it is not a difficult situation to address, nor was it unforeseeable that it would happen.
Surely the project risk assessment should have identified the potential for this type of event and made suitable provision.
It is a huge inconvenience for residents and others who are having to suffer lengthy diversions.
That said, everything relating to this route has been so badly managed for years and, unfortunately, is no surprise to anyone affected.
Tony Sidwell, Ripon
Paul Haslam for mayor is a ‘breath of fresh air’
This letter follows news of former Tory whip councillor Paul Haslam standing for mayor of North Yorkshire.
It came as a breath of fresh air to read that councillor Paul Haslam has resigned as the Conservative party whip to stand as an Independent candidate for Mayor of North Yorkshire.
It is a position which demands loyalty to all residents of North Yorkshire and not allegiance to a political party, which has gifted the incumbent their salary of £81,300.
It requires broad knowledge of commerce, as well the workings of public services and its politics. It requires the ability to identify and lead a network of talent and not one based on party hierarchy or other organisations..
This is not political party propaganda. I do not belong to a political party and I am a centrist.
I have seen Cllr Haslam at local community meetings and consider him an efficient operator with local interests at heart.
As a capable Independent candidate, who is challenging the existing hierarchy, Cllr Haslam will have my vote.
I hope the electorate fully realise importance of the Mayor of North Yorkshire and that usual voter apathy for local elections does not occur. The election turnout for the retiring Police Commissioner was less than 15%, which means that 85% didn’t care.
The outcome of this election will be more meaningful and it will affect everyone by influencing the many areas of our public services.
Brian Graham, Harrogate
Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
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Harrogate to Skipton bus suspended due to Kex Gill work
The Saturday DalesBus 59 service between Harrogate and Skipton has been suspended due to the closure of the A59 at Kex Gill.
The service had been following a lengthy diversion around Ilkley after North Yorkshire Council suddenly closed the road last month due to a cracked verge.
But the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company, which operates the DalesBus, has now called a halt to it.
It said in a statement:
“We’re sorry to advise that DalesBus 59 is currently suspended during the closure of the A59 at Kex Gill for emergency repairs.
“Very few people used the service during the diversion via Ilkley, and the diversionary route is now subject to additional roadworks and delays at Manor Park from March 18.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused. A full service will resume every Saturday as soon as the road reopens.”
The DalesBus had been taking a diverted route via Otley and Ilkley, and stopped calling at Blubberhouses or Bolton Bridge.

The closed road at Kex Gill.
The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. It is not expected to reopen until after Easter and work is unlikely to begin before the end of March.
In its latest update last week, Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:
“We are currently finalising the programme for the repair scheme, which will include sheet piling and backfilling, to address the slippage and reduce further movement of the carriageway.
“This will involve driving long sheets of interlocking steel into the ground to create a continuous structural wall which provides strength and stability. Once this has been completed, we will be backfilling the excavated area between the sheet piles and the road.
“When we have the final programme and timescales, we will endeavour to update road users.”
This has been met with frustrations from motorists and residents.
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A59 Kex Gill resurfacing to be complete on Friday
Work to resurface a section of road on the A59 Kex Gill is set to be completed on Friday.
North Yorkshire Council closed the road for five weeks to undertake the resurfacing between Church Hill and Pace Gate as part of a £500,000 scheme.
It also involved essential stabilising work to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, cat’s eyes replacement and maintenance of ground monitoring equipment
The move has caused a lengthy diversion through Pool in Wharfedale and Otley before rejoining the A59.
Now, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council has said the work is on schedule to be completed on Friday (November 10).
The move comes as the council is constructing a new road off the A59 at Kex Gill after a series of landslips.
The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million for the £68.8 million Kex Gill re-alignment project, with the remaining £12.7 million allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.
A new four-kilometre stretch of road will be created, replacing an existing part of the A59 which has been affected by the landslips.
The re-aligned route will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses. It is due to be completed by autumn 2025.
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Five-week road closure begins today at A59 Kex Gill
A five-week road closure has come into effect on the A59 at Kex Gill between Harrogate and Skipton today.
North Yorkshire Council has closed the road between Church Hill and Pace Gate, leading to lengthy diversions.
The council has said the closure will enable it to carry out resurfacing, essential stabilising work to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, cat’s eyes replacement and maintenance of ground monitoring equipment.
A diversion will take drivers through Pool in Wharfedale and Otley before re-joining the A59. A full diversion route can be found on the North Yorkshire Council roadworks map.
The DalesBus 59 between Harrogate and Skipton will also run on an amended timetable from October 14 until November 11.
Buses will run twice a day in each direction on Saturdays only during the period of the closure and will operate from Harrogate through Otley and Ilkley before joining the A59 near Chelker Reservoir.
Work will take place on a section of the A59 which is next to the council’s £68.8 million Kex Gill re-route project.
Council officers will also be carrying out essential stabilising works to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, refreshing lining, replacing cat’s eyes and maintenance of the ground monitoring equipment.
Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways and transport at the council, said:
“Kex Gill has a history of landslips, and the route has had to be closed a total of 12 times in the past 22 years. We must stabilise the slope near the existing road to avoid any lengthy closures over the next two years whilst the new road is constructed.”
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Section of A59 Kex Gill to be closed for resurfacing in October
A section of the A59 at Kex Gill is set to be closed for five weeks in October as a £500,000 resurfacing scheme is carried out.
North Yorkshire Council will carry out the work on the road to the west of Harrogate between Church Hill and Pace Gate.
The road will be closed from Monday, October 9, for the resurfacing to be carried out. Advance warning signs and a signed diversion will be in place.
Work will take place on a section of the A59 which is next to the council’s £68.8 million Kex Gill re-route project.
Council officers will also be carrying out essential stabilising works to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, refreshing lining, replacing cat’s eyes and maintenance of the ground monitoring equipment.
Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways and transport at the council, said:
“Keeping our roads in the best condition for the money that we have available is one of the biggest challenges that we face, so the additional government investment is making a huge difference to this year’s highways budget.
“It is allowing us to complete even more works than expected, including this key section of the A59.
“Kex Gill has a history of landslips, and the route has had to be closed a total of 12 times in the past 22 years. We must stabilise the slope near the existing road to avoid any lengthy closures over the next two years whilst the new road is constructed.
“Although there is never a good time to carry out such works, they need to be completed before the inclement winter weather hits.
“We have also timed the other essential works during the five-week period to avoid further closures and have been liaising with neighbouring authorities to ensure an appropriate diversion route has been set up and agreed.”
Read more:
- Site cleared ahead new road being built at A59 Kex Gill
- Concern about inflation on £68.8m Kex Gill road scheme
The move comes as the council is constructing a new road off the A59 at Kex Gill after a series of landslips.
The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million for the £68.8 million Kex Gill re-alignment project, with the remaining £12.7 million allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.
A new four-kilometre stretch of road will be created, replacing an existing part of the A59 which has been affected by the landslips.
The re-aligned route will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses. It is due to be completed by autumn 2025.
Concern about inflation on £68.8m Kex Gill road schemeConcerns have been raised about what impact inflation might have on the overall cost of the A59 Kex Gill new road scheme between Harrogate and Skipton.
Council officials first said the Department for Transport-funded scheme would cost £61.6 million but this rose to £68.8m last year due to inflationary costs, with the council covering the £7.2m shortfall from its reserves.
Since last summer, inflation has remained high and at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee last week, Andrew Murday, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, asked Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, who would pick up the bill should costs increase again.
Cllr Murday said:
“One can assume a fair amount of overspend on that project due to cost of raw materials.
“Can we have an explanation on how that overspend might be met?”
In response, Mr Smith said he had not heard about any overspend.
He added:
“I was focused on getting that money locked down which it was earlier in the year.
“I haven’t had representation from the council that more money is required.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, Cllr Murday said inflation should be a “worry” as construction on the new road progresses.
He said:
“Projects do overrun. There is wage inflation for the people who work there, the cost of raw materials, stone and energy requirements.
“I don’t know how much of that was taken into account when the money was awarded.
“It’s worth worrying about the increase in costs and how they are going to be met.”
A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said the project is not currently running over budget.
Last month, contractors completed clearing an area next to the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton ahead of building a new three-mile stretch of road.
The A59 is a key link for North Yorkshire but the section that includes Kex Gill has had a long history of landslips which has caused lenghty diversions for motorists and extra costs for the council.
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Site cleared ahead new road being built at A59 Kex Gill
Contractors have completed clearing an area alongside the A59 near Harrogate ahead of building a new three-mile stretch of road.
The A59 is a key link between Harrogate and Skipton.
But the section that includes Kex Gill has had a history of landslips, which has caused lengthy diversions for motorists and extra costs for the council.
Work on the £68.8 million project began in February and will see a new road built from Blubberhouses to just after Kex Gill.
The Department for Transport is providing £56.1m and the remaining funds are coming from North Yorkshire Council.
In an update, the council said the site has now been cleared, which has involved removing trees, and an access road is being built to allow builders to start work on the new road.
A stone wall has also been dismantled but will be reused as part of the scheme.
The council added the project will be finished in autumn 2025 after previously saying it would be in May of that year.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:
“The £69 million Kex Gill realignment project is progressing in line with our programme. The site has been carefully cleared, and a construction access road is being built as part of the first phase of construction.
“The stone boundary wall has been carefully de- constructed and labelled to enable future re-instatement.
“The new road is scheduled to open in autumn 2025 and once complete will reduce road closures, congestion and delays on the A59, reducing the impact on the environment.”
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The majority of the new road will be constructed without access to traffic, which means the existing road will remain open during construction.
Once open, the re-routed A59 is not likely to make journey times between Harrogate and Skipton any quicker but it will remove the risk of landslips.
The Kex Gill section runs through important habitats including a Site of Special
Scientific Interest.
The council said plans are in place to mitigate the impact on wildlife in the area that includes barn owls, bats, nightjars, wild game, toads and badgers.
Reduced speed limit at A59 Kex Gill to remain until SeptemberA reduced speed limit on the A59 at Kex Gill is set to remain in place until September due to an “uneven road surface”.
North Yorkshire Council has introduced the reduction which sees the speed limit lowered from 60 to 40 miles per hour.
Officials at the authority said the measure had been implemented due to the stretch of Kex Gill Road being uneven.
It added that the speed limit reduction will remain in place until September when the road will be closed for two weeks and resurfaced.
Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transport at the council, said:
“We have introduced a 40mph speed limit on a section of the existing A59 at Kex Gill due to the uneven road surface. This will only be in place until we carry out a resurfacing scheme.
“A start date is yet to be confirmed but we anticipate early September, lasting for two weeks under full road closures with signed diversions in place. We will notify the public in due course.”
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