GOVERNMENT funding to build a new around £30 million section of road to bypass the unstable section of the A59 at Kex Gill between Skipton and Harrogate can only be sought after the chosen route is firmed up, heard last week’s meeting of the new Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee.

Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told Friday’s meeting at Skipton Town Hall that while a realignment of the road at Kex Gill had the support of both Skipton MP Julian Smith and Harrogate MP Andrew Jones, an approach to the government for funding would have to wait until the scheme was fully drawn up.

Both MPs however accepted the importance of the Trans Pennine route and were very keen to see a solution and an end to frequent closures of the A59 at Kex Gill, he said.

In August, the council’s Executive agreed a preferred route for the re-alignment, which differed from the original preferred scheme which would have seen it following an existing bridlepath from Kex Gill Farm corner and crossing a peat bog. The ‘re-aligned realignment’ will now leave the A59 closer towards Kex Gill itself at the existing turn off to Blubberhouses Quarry - to avoid any potential environmental damage .

A public consultation ‘drop in’ event held in Norwood, Otley, in the early summer was attended by more than 200 people, while a further 37 submitted written comments.

The scheme received a high level of support, with people commenting the realignment was needed to reduce the number of road closures and subsequent diversion of traffic.

The constituency committee - formerly the Craven Area Committee - was told that members would receive regular updates including when and for how the road would have to be closed again.

As part of the work on drawing up the detailed design of the scheme, negotiations with landowners is due to get underway with a view to acquiring land through negotiation, and avoiding the need for compulsory purchase, which could run the risk of a public inquiry.

A public inquiry - if there was an objection to a compulsory purchase order - could add around a year to the scheme being completed, which the council is keen to avoid.

Council officers are currently seeking a meeting with Department for Transport officials to discuss the outline business case for the scheme.

The road was closed for more than five weeks earlier in the year after a large crack appeared in the road surface and has been open to single lane only, with temporary traffic lights, since before the start of the Great Yorkshire Show.

After the meeting, Cllr Les said the road would have to be closed again quite soon for further repairs, but only after prior consultation with businesses. He said it would mean the road having to be closed in both directions, but that signing would be better this time, and that the length of the closure would be kept to the absolute minimum.

“There is a difference between a planned closure and an unplanned closure. It will be for the minimum period and signage will be better this time.,” he said.