£83.5m Kex Gill Bypass Set to Open in July Following Major Engineering Project

A long-awaited bypass designed to tackle persistent landslip issues on one of North Yorkshire's key transport corridors is expected to open to traffic next month.

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that the new 2.5-mile (4km) section of the A59 at Kex Gill is currently scheduled to open on 6 July, marking a significant milestone for a project described as the most ambitious highways scheme ever undertaken by the authority.

The £83.5 million project has created a new route between Skipton and Blubberhouses, bypassing a section of road that has been repeatedly affected by landslips and ground movement for more than two decades.

Originally expected to open this month, completion has been pushed back slightly following an exceptionally wet winter, which affected progress on the challenging hillside site.

Construction of the new alignment began in 2023 and has involved complex engineering works to navigate difficult ground conditions in an area long associated with instability.

The existing section of the A59 has suffered 15 separate landslips since 2000, resulting in repeated closures, lengthy diversions and more than £6 million in repair costs. The recurring problems have caused significant disruption for residents, businesses and visitors travelling through the area.

By relocating the route away from the unstable hillside, the new bypass is intended to provide a long-term solution to the issue while improving the resilience of a strategically important transport link.

The A59 serves as a vital east-west route connecting Harrogate, Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales, carrying thousands of vehicles each day and supporting both local journeys and tourism across the region.

Once open, the new road is expected to deliver more reliable journey times, reduce the risk of future closures and improve connectivity across North Yorkshire.

The project has been widely regarded as one of the county's most significant transport investments, reflecting the scale of the engineering challenge and the importance of maintaining a dependable route through the area.

With final works nearing completion, attention is now turning to the planned opening in early July, which will bring an end to years of disruption caused by landslips and provide drivers with a more resilient route through the Yorkshire countryside.

For local communities and road users alike, the completion of the Kex Gill bypass represents a major infrastructure achievement and a long-term investment in the reliability of one of North Yorkshire's most important roads.