MOTORISTS can once again get from Skipton to Harrogate on the A59 following the reopening of the road yesterday (Sunday) evening.

The A59, which has been closed for more than five weeks after movement was detected in a wall at the side of Kex Gill, together with an eight metre long crack in the road surface, re-opened yesterday, although to single lane traffic, controlled by traffic lights.

The re-opening, in time for tomorrow's (Tuesday) start of the Great Yorkshire Show, followed load testing over the weekend to make sure it was safe for the travelling public.

Since the closure of the road, on May 30, extensive ground investigations using specialist equipment have taken place by North Yorkshire County Council and its contractors.

Traffic lights will be controlled manually through out the week from 6am to 6pm, and until 9pm from tomorrow (Tuesday) to Thursday, to cope with additional traffic generated by the Great Yorkshire Show.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to reopen the road under traffic lights.

“The closure period has been difficult for local communities, particularly businesses, so I’m sure they will welcome the reopening. It has always been our priority to reopen the A59 as quickly as possible for the benefit of all road users. It has been a complex operation in difficult conditions, but our staff and contractors have worked hard to reach this point.”

Over the coming weeks, the road will continue to be monitored daily at Kex Gill for any further movement.

The County Council continues to work on a permanent solution to reopen the road fully. It will do all it can to keep the road open and to minimise any further closures. However, given the scale of the problem more permanent works may require a further road closure. As soon as details are finalised, the council will engage locally on when to carry out the repairs, what the implications are and how best to mitigate them.

The council’s ultimate solution is to realign the section of the A59 to the other side of the valley. The public can view the preferred proposed route for the realignment at: northyorks.gov.uk/kexgill and can email comments to LTP@northyorks.gov.uk. Anyone unable to access the internet can call 01609 780780 or write to Transport Planning Team, Business and Environmental Services, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AD. The deadline for comments is July 12.