Julian Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, has visited the road closure site on the A59 at Kex Gill to meet with County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the Executive Member for Highways, County Councillor John Fort, member for Pateley Bridge and Harrogate Borough Councillor Christine Ryder, where they were given an update on the closure.
The A59 was closed on 5 January following significant movement of the bank above the road. The County Council has been monitoring the road for a number of years and has carried out work previously on the road to ensure adequate drainage of water.
Since 5 January there has been no further movement of the bank and tests are currently being carried out by the County Council’s geotechnical contractor. The County Council anticipates that due to water collecting at the top of the slope, a drainage system will need to be installed. Due to the conditions of the bank and the instability of the slope, the Council are taking every precaution for to ensure safety for road users and those who will be working on the site. The A59 will remain closed while work is carried out and the intention is to open it as soon as it is safe to do so. Motorists are advised that the work could take up to six weeks to complete although the County Council will be providing more regular updates on the timeframes as work progresses.
Julian Smith MP said: ‘I have been monitoring the closure at Kex Gill since 5 January. I understand the inconvenience this closure has on many people travelling and commuting on the A59, however, the safety of road users must be an absolute priority. Since my meeting on 15 January at the site, I have written to North Yorkshire County Council on behalf of a number of constituents asking them to ensure that diversion routes are properly signed but also that signage to the many businesses on the road makes clear that they remain open. I will be receiving regular updates from the council on the work taking place and I will continue to update my facebook page and website so that constituents across the area can be kept up to date on the progress.’
