COUNCILLORS in Otley are welcoming the news that the proposed scheme to bypass Kex Gill on the A59 has moved a stage closer.

But they are asking that traffic should not be diverted through the town while the road is closed.

The road, which carries Harrogate to Skipton traffic, is unstable and periodically collapses. North Yorkshire County Council is planning to build a new section to solve the problem.

The work will see the construction of a new 2.5-mile stretch of carriageway, meaning traffic will no longer need to use the existing section of the route.

The Kex Gill stretch has caused major disruption in the area for years. It is prone to landslips and road closures, most recently in 2018, which have resulted in high maintenance costs and delayed journey times.

Otley and Yeadon councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay are welcoming the publication of detailed plans for the scheme.

Cllr Campbell said:"The current Kex Gill section of the A59 is notoriously unstable. Any time there is an issue on the road the majority of the diverted traffic seems to come through the middle of Otley causing considerable congestion."

Cllr Downes added:"There have been discussions about improvements for a number of years, and at last, with the publishing of detailed plans it looks like a solution to the problem is in sight."

"While we welcome the new section of road we have some concerns," said Cllr Lay.

"We have asked that if the A59 is closed then traffic is not diverted through Otley but rather an alternative route is provided. Hopefully this will minimise any congestion in the town centre."

This summer contractors were invited to tender for the £60m scheme to realign the A59 at Kex Gill following the confirmation of Government funding and planning approval earlier this year.

Funding was rubber-stamped in February to by-pass the route. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps pledged up to £56 million of investment into the scheme.

North Yorkshire County Council will provide the additional £4million towards the £60 million cost.

The proposed A59 alignment starts east of Kex Gill Farm, prior to North Moor Road, and runs to the east of Church Hill, prior to Fewston Reservoir car park and Blubberhouses. It is hoped work will begin in November this year.