£68m works to begin this year to replace route plagued by landslips

Motorists will benefit from a new route to replace the A59 at Kex Gill thanks to investment confirmed today – 23 February.

Government roads minister Richard Holden met with representatives from North Yorkshire County Council and Transport for the North in Yorkshire to discuss the upgrade.

The area surrounding the A59 at Kex Gill has a history of landslips resulting in a number of costly and unplanned road closures.

To address this problem, £56m of Government funding will be used to develop a new route to replace this section of the A59.

In total, the cost of the scheme is £68m, with the remaining money to be paid by North Yorkshire County Council.

Holden said: “Making journeys safer, faster and more reliable for motorists to reduce travel times and help grow the economy is vital.

“The new route at Kex Gill will benefit businesses across the north of England and local towns and villages nearby by boosting economic growth, enhancing connectivity and putting an end to disruptive road closures.

“Investing in projects like this to provide long-term improvements shows how the Government is committed to levelling up transport links with long-term sustainable solutions.”

The road provides motorists with a vital east-to-west link and connects the towns of Harrogate and Skipton.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Councillor Keane Duncan, said: “It is welcome news that the Government has given us the final go-ahead to begin construction.

“The re-alignment of Kex Gill will undoubtedly be one of the council’s most ambitious ever highways projects.

“The A59 provides a very important east-west connection in North Yorkshire and is of national significance. We remain committed to completing the scheme as quickly as possible and in the most cost-effective way.”

Works are set to begin later this year, and the scheme is expected to open in 2025.