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05
Nov
Fresh A59 closures announced as £82.5m Kex Gill bypass enters final stages
Motorists using the A59 face another three weeks of disruption as contractors carry out what they describe as the final stages of the £82.5m Kex Gill bypass scheme.
Sections of the road will be closed overnight and during the day this month while contractors Sisk complete resurfacing and road markings at the points where the new highway joins the existing A59.
The latest work comes despite the 4.2km bypass opening to traffic in August, following a construction project that has been beset by delays and rising costs.
North Yorkshire Council originally expected the scheme to be completed in May 2025. The cost has also increased from an initial £68.8m to £82.5m.
Traffic lights have remained in place while contractors finish work on the connections between the new road and the existing route.
The continuing disruption has frustrated residents of Blubberhouses, particularly over the closure of the Church Hill junction with the A59.
Now Sisk has written to residents confirming that Church Hill will reopen on Friday night (November 6), although it will be affected by some of the subsequent road closures.
The letter describes the forthcoming work as the "final stages" of the scheme.
It says:
We need to close parts of the road overnight so that we can lay the final road surface and add the new road markings at the two tie-in points with the existing road.
Work taking place at Blubberhouses in August.
Three phases
The work will be carried out in three phases:
Phase one: November 9 to 13
The A59 will be closed overnight between Bolton Abbey roundabout and the Menwith Hill crossroads, from 7pm until 6am.
Phase two: November 16 to 19
The Church Hill and Hall Lane junctions with the A59 will be closed during the day to allow final resurfacing work to take place.
Phase three: November 20 to 27
Church Hill and Hall Lane will be closed.
A signed diversion via Ilkley and Otley will be in operation.
Sisk's letter adds that the weekends of November 14-15 and November 21-22 have also been set aside in case additional working time is required.
However, the latest programme has done little to reassure some residents, who are concerned about the uncertainty over when roads and junctions will be accessible.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said:
People will have no idea from one day to the next whether the roads are open or closed. It will be like watching the Keystone Cops running around putting up barriers and signs then taking them down.
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