WORK on a new section of road to replace the landslip-prone section of the A59 at Kex Gill between Skipton and Blubberhouses is now expected to start at the end of this year with completion in early 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council had hoped work would have started by now on the £60m realignment, involving a new 2.5 mile section of road, but now says dependent on a 'one remaining objection' preparatory work will get underway at the end of this year, with main construction taking place in 2023.

Meanwhile, the county council says repairs to the road, which has deteriorated over the winter months, 'will be carried out in line with its established highway maintenance procedures.'

Richard Binks, the council's head of major projects and infrastructure, 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.”

James Malcolm, highways area manager, added:“The A59 is a key east-west route for North Yorkshire and the region. The scheme to realign the route to address the risk of landslips to which the existing carriageway has been prone is progressing as quickly as possible.

“In the meantime, we will continue to treat this stretch of the A59 as we do all major routes in the county. Inspections and repairs will be carried out in line with our established highway maintenance procedures.

“In addition, there has been for some time now a formal monitoring regime in place to ensure that the slope is checked during and after weather events and this will continue throughout the construction and completion of the Kex Gill realignment scheme.”

The new section of road will leave the current A59 to the west of North Moor Road, and rejoin the existing road at Blubberhouses. It will include modifications to the junctions of North Moor Road, on the Skipton side of Kex Gill, and at Hall Lane and Church Hill, on the Blubberhouses side of Kex Gill. The county council has said in the past that the work is likely to take around 16 months to complete.