£69m Kex Gill road scheme set for December start after contractor named

A contractor has been lined up to carry out the £68.8 million re-alignment of the A59 at Kex Gill in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire County Council has awarded preferred bidder status to John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd, an Irish civil engineering and construction firm. A council spokeswoman said the value of the contract was “commercially confidential”.

John Sisk & Son was involved in the delivery of the 2012 London Olympics and the capital’s Crossrail project.

The decision is dependent on funding from the Department for Transport, which is currently reviewing the full business case. A decision is expected next month.

Contractors will move on site in December to clear the moorland by late February next year to avoid the bird nesting season. An estimated completion date is May 2025.

The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.

The DfT awarded a £56.1 million grant for the realignment towards an original budget estimate of £61.6 million. The county council agreed to pay the remainder from its capital reserves.

The project has faced numerous delays and following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2m to £68.8m, which the council attributes to due to inflation affecting constructions costs.

It therefore approved an increase in its allocated funding from £5.5m to £12.7m, given the DfT grant is fixed.

Asked whether the scheme would require detours and road closures, a council spokesewoman said:

“It’s very early to say for certain at this stage. However, we don’t envisage road closures or detours. The majority of work is offset from the existing A59 alignment being on the opposite side of the valley.”

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways on North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Keane Duncan

Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transportation,  said:

“This is a key step forward for the Kex Gill re-alignment, which is one of the council’s most ambitious ever highways projects.

“The A59 provides a very important east-west connection in North Yorkshire and the route is listed by the government in the top 10 for strategic importance nationally.

“Re-aligning the route is the only real solution so we are pleased to now be at the stage where we are ready to appoint a contractor.

“We remain committed to carrying out this key project as quickly as possible and in the most cost-effective way.”

‘Light at end of tunnel’

Cllr Nathan Hull (pictured above), a Conservative who represents Washburn and Birstwith on the council, said:

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel with this project now that we have a preferred contractor and a start date in mind.

“The re-aligned route, which will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses, will be safe and reliable for residents, businesses and visitors for generations to come.”

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Sisk’s Yorkshire projects include completing the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme City Centre Gateways and is delivering major infrastructure work at York Central.

Dominic Hodges, managing director of Sisk, said:

“The scheme is technically challenging with complex engineering solutions required within an environmentally sensitive area.

“We are working collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop an innovative scheme and look forward to working with the local community to leave a lasting legacy.”

 

Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m

County council officials today warned that the “burden of risk” for major projects, such as the realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill, will fall on the authority amid soaring inflation.

The cost of the scheme to build a diversion on the A59, near Blubberhouses, has increased to £68.8 million.

Senior North Yorkshire county councillors today approved a further £7.2 million to the project in order to cover the shortfall caused by a rise in inflation.

It takes the council’s contribution to the major highways project to £12.7 million after the Department for Transport capped its contribution at £56.1 million.

Gary Fielding, the council’s director for strategic resources, told councillors today that the reduction in funding from ministers combined with inflation soaring would leave high risk on the council for capital schemes such as Kex Gill.

He said:

“In terms of capital, you are seeing two things happening in general and I think it is right that members are aware of the risks.

“We have got allocations in government funding across the board actually reducing in quantum for the forthcoming period and in parallel with that we have got inflation rates taking off.

“So what you have actually got is a much reduced spending power going forward and a higher profile of risk based upon major schemes where the burden of risk will fall 100% with the council.”

A report before councillors today warned that any “unforeseen events” with the Kex Gill scheme which lead to increased cost would fall upon the authority.

Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at the council, added:

“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased to be having to recommend a further £7.2 million to the Kex Gill project, but nonetheless it shows our commitment to major road improvement.”

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The project will see a diversion built west of Blubberhouses on the stretch of road, which has been blighted by a history of landslips. The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton.

Council officials expect work to start on the scheme next year and continue until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

Ahead of appointing a contractor for the scheme, a full business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport.

Calls to grit more Harrogate district roads set to be rejected

Councillors look set to reject calls to grit more roads in the Harrogate district this winter.

North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, meets on Friday to agree its gritting programme from October 1 to April 30.

A report by Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation at the council, recommends councillors at the meeting approve the same arrangements as last year.

The council has a winter maintenance service budget of £7.5 million. Details of its gritting routes are here.

Motorways and trunk roads in the county, including the A1, A1(M), A66, A66(M), A64, A168 (Dishforth to Thirsk) and A19 (Thirsk to Crathorne) are gritted separately by National Highways.

Each year the council’s business and environmental services committee considers requests for amendments to its gritting routes.

Five have been received from the Harrogate district but Mr Mason said in the report:

“Currently there are no external routes upgrade requests that are supported by officers.”

The only proposed change this year is to include the north Northallerton link road in winter gritting when it opens “as this is commensurate with its network hierarchy”, the report said.

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The 5 roads requested for gritting

The council received five requests from residents, parish councils and local councillors in the Harrogate district to grit additional roads.

They are:

Old Barber in Bilton

A resident said when it snows and is icy it is “very dangerous for elderly people”.

West End, Blubberhouses

A resident said the location has a a number of farms and hamlets with steep gradients and should be gritted.

Wheatlands Road, Harrogate

A local councillor said it is a very steep road and residents “find themselves unable to get vehicles out of the road at all”.

Walton Park, Harrogate

A local councillor said “when it’s icy it’s sometimes difficult to walk across the road never mind traverse the pavements”, adding parents walking down hill to primary school are “at risk in the morning”.

The access road to Heyshaw village in Nidderdale

The parish council said the road “becomes impassable when very icy or snowy” and links to a dairy farm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harrogate’s Isaac Smith on fast track to success

Harrogate’s Isaac Smith is hoping for a career as a professional touring car racer after a successful season so far.

Mr Smith, 20, finished second in the latest round of the Touring Car Championship UK at Brands Hatch in Kent last weekend, hitting speeds of up to 135mph.

He’s currently second overall in the championship after three of seven meetings. He’s also leading the Tom Walker Trophy for newcomers.

Touring car racing features heavily modified road cars. It is considered much fairer than Formula One because the engine capabilities of the cars taking part are far more even, making it more of a test of driving skill.

Encouraged by his petrolhead father Mike, Mr Smith, from Blubberhouses, started racing go-karts at the age of 10.

He moved to senior racing when he was 17 and hopes to become a full-time professional.

Isaac Smith touring cars

Isaac Smith

He aims to race on the European circuit and then compete in the World Touring Car Championships.

Asked what he enjoys about the sport, he said:

“There’s nothing else that gives me a kick like racing. It’s always a battle out there.”

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Washburn Valley tells story of Queen through creative flower festival

A creative festival of flowers in Blubberhouses tells the story of the Queen’s life and 70 years on the throne.

The display is available to visit at St Andrew’s Church in Blubberhouses, just past Fewston Reservoir off the A59, from 11am to 4pm every day over the four-day weekend.

It’s been organised by the Friends of St Andrew’s Church and displays have been arranged by talented florists that live in the Washburn Valley, which includes villages such as Norwood, Fewston and Farnley.

Displays pay tribute to major events in the Queen’s life, including her wedding to Prince Philip and the coronation.

There are also displays that highlight some of the Queen’s interests, such as horses, Balmoral and the girl guides.

The church’s top florist, Daphne Wilson, has been busy arranging several of the displays this week.

She said:

“We wanted to depict the major part of the Queen’s life. It’s our first proper outing since covid. We’re all volunteers and everyone has played their part.”

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Teas and some delicious homemade cakes are also available. Money raised will go towards paying for new disabled access at the church.

There are 12 displays in total. Some pictures are below:

‘The Commonwealth’ by Alison Bowers

‘Balmoral’ by Lorna Freegard and Bolton Priory Flower Team

‘The Coronation’ by Catriana Cleverley, Virginia Kay, Liz Furse, Connie Fenwick and Duncan Clayton

‘The Wedding’ by Daphne Wilson

‘Childhood’ by Steph Wilson

Delayed A59 Kex Gill reroute now set to start next year and finish in 2025

The delayed £60 million reroute of the A59 at Kex Gill is now unlikely to start until next year, with work continuing until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

But the council is still negotiating on one remaining objection to compulsory purchase orders it issued for the scheme.

The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” that cost the council £1.4 million to resolve.

Richard Binks, head of major projects and infrastructure at the council, said:

“We remain committed to progressing the essential realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill as quickly as possible.

“Negotiations over the one remaining objection are now in an advanced position and we are confident of a positive resolution in the coming weeks.

“This would enable a contractor to be on site to carry out preparatory work by the end of the year, with main construction beginning early next year. Completion would be scheduled for early 2025.”

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If left unresolved, the objections could lead to a public inquiry – which would delay the start of the project further.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access at the council, told a council meeting last year.

“The project programme without a public inquiry indicates that construction could start this autumn (2021). On the other hand, if a public inquiry is required, the start of works could be delayed by up to 15 months.”

Highways chief ‘confident’ Kex Gill scheme can still avoid inquiry

North Yorkshire’s highways chief has said he is hopeful that a £60 million project to realign Kex Gill will go ahead without a public inquiry.

A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” that cost the council £1.4 million.

Following the publication of compulsory purchase orders, the council was faced with two objections which, if unresolved, could have led to a public inquiry.

However, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, told the Stray Ferret the authority had now resolved one of the complaints.

He said:

“I’m very confident it will avoid an inquiry.”

Cllr Mackenzie previously told the Stray Ferret that he did not see the objections as a “severe risk” to the project.

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He added that once construction started on the project, work could take up to 18 months to complete.

However, a start date for the scheme has yet to be confirmed.

Barrie Mason, assistant director of highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said the authority intended to progress the scheme “as soon as possible”.

He said:

“We remain committed to progressing the essential realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill as quickly as possible.

“The route is a vital east-west link within North Yorkshire, as well as into West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Humber ports, so we are pressing ahead with this scheme to provide a safe, reliable route for residents, businesses and visitors.

“However, there are statutory processes that must be completed before we can move to the next stage of the project. We are currently progressing through these processes. Subject to their satisfactory completion, we will move forward with the scheme as soon as possible.”

Blubberhouses to host Christmas Tree Festival this weekend

Blubberhouses will host its annual Christmas Tree Festival this weekend at St Andrew’s Church.

The event is free to attend from 11am to 4pm both days this weekend.

This year, trees have been decorated by Crafters, Fewston Bellringers, The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, Friends of Blubberhouses Church and Farnley Estate Young Farmers. 

Hot drinks, mulled wine and mince pies will be available to add to the festive atmosphere.

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Pat Anderson, who organises the event, praised the Young Farmers’ effort.

She said:

“Many local young people enjoy the thriving activities of the Young Farmers – they are an essential part of the local community”.

 

The Young Farmers’ tree

Council could compulsory purchase 90 acres of land for £60m Kex Gill road

North Yorkshire County Council is in discussions with landowners to purchase 90 acres of land earmarked for a major £60 million reroute of the A59 at Kex Gill.

A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” which cost the council £1.4 million.

The council needs to acquire the land before it can begin construction on the scheme.

Council officials said negotiations were ongoing with landowners to reach an agreement on the price of the land, rather than acquire it by a compulsory purchase order.

The Stray Ferret asked the county council how much money has been set aside for the project.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for highway and transportation at the county council, said:

“The Compulsory Purchase Orders and the Side Roads Order recently published for the A59 Kex Gill are a routine part of the process of delivering the scheme.

“Where the CPO relates to land purchase, this is being carried out alongside negotiations with landowners aimed at reaching an agreed, rather than compulsory, purchase.

“We have estimated the likely cost of land purchase, but as negotiations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to disclose these figures now, as that could prejudice those negotiations. We will, of course, make this information public once negotiations are concluded.”

The council has outlined the 90 acres of land it intends to purchase in internal documents.

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Included in the scheme is land off the A59 at Blubberhouse Moor between North Moor Road and Hall Lane, land at Hall Farm and land to the east at Hall Beck. 

Agricultural land along the A59 up to Church Hill is also outlined in the scheme. Woodland east of Hall Lane and west of the River Washburn would also be acquired.

The existing road also passes through an area designated as Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Most of the land earmarked for purchase is woodland or agricultural land.

The authority said any compulsory purchase would be used as a last resort. But the project could be delayed by a further 15 months if an objection is lodged against a compulsory purchase order.

Such an objection would lead to a public inquiry.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, told a full council meeting last month:

“The compulsory purchase and side roads orders have been published with a formal consultation period until the end of August.

“The project programme without a public inquiry indicates that construction could start this autumn. On the other hand, if a public inquiry is required, the start of works could be delayed by up to 15 months.”

Weather warning issued for snow and ice tonight

Weather warnings are in place for snow and ice tonight in the Harrogate district as temperatures are set to plunge to minus four degrees centigrade.

The Met Office warning says some disruption to travel is possible due to icy stretches and snow falling.

North Yorkshire County Council gritters have been out but untreated roads could be hazardous.

The council warned in a tweet today the lockdown could make conditions worse;

“Although we’re gritting roads whenever needed they might still be icy. Salt needs traffic to activate it – less traffic during lockdown means gritting isn’t as effective and icy conditions may last longer than you would expect.”

A yellow warnings is in place from 5pm today until midnight tomorrow. Yellow warnings are less severe than amber and red warnings.

Tonight’s forecast. Credit: Met Office

The district has been in the grip of a cold snap since Christmas, which has seen occasional heavy snowfall in places, such as the A59 at Blubberhouses and Kex Gill.

Although it is forecast to stay cold, temperatures are expected to rise slightly over the weekend, bringing some respite from the freezing conditions.

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