Work on the £60m overhaul of the Kex Gill section of the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton is set to begin this summer.
It was announced today that the UK government has declined to have the final say on the plans, which clears the way for the project to begin.
The new road, which is expected to take a year to complete, will divert traffic away from the landslip-prone part of the route.
North Yorkshire County Council’s planning and regular functions committee backed the proposals this month.
However, no decision was made after Lewis Williams, representing mining firm Sibelco, requested the application be given final approval by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick.
Mr Jenrick has now declined to ‘call in’ the decision, which the council today said meant it can proceed with plans to begin this summer.
The government has committed up to £56 million for the scheme; the council will spend £4.95 million.
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Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the council, said:
“The decision by the Secretary of State is very good news indeed, leaving the way open to the commencement of this important scheme.
“The A59 at Kex Gill has been subject to closures in the recent past because of land slips, which have disrupted travel, caused long diversions through West Yorkshire, and have been costly.
“The realignment of this trans-Pennine route provides much better connectivity for all road users and is a major boost to the economy of North Yorkshire.”
Cllr Stanley Lumley, member for Pateley Bridge division, said:
“Locals, commuters and visitors will all benefit from enhanced safety and reliability of the important trans-Pennine route.”
