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Councillors “bored” of link road talk and want action

Friday, 6 March 2026 08:56

The Wyvern link road would link Engine Shed Lane to the A629 bypass.

Councillors say they are “bored” of talking about plans for a link road and want work to start as soon as possible amid concerns over flooding.

North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon area committee were told today (THURSDAY) that a business case for the Wyvern Link Road, in Skipton, was not ready to be presented to the authority’s executive.

Discussions on building a 190-metre road from Engine Shed Lane to the A629 bypass have been taking place since at least 2017.

It is hoped that the link would reduce the number of HGVs in Skipton town centre.

Councillors were told, however, that significant issues had been identified concerning flood resilience.

The meeting heard that the council’s major projects team was now working on the plans.

In response to the update, Councillor Simon Myers, member for the Mid Craven division, said:

“I’d like to stress to them that it is very urgent that we get on with this.

“It is part of an overall scheme that was very important to the relief of traffic in Skipton and the cessation of heavy goods vehicles using the very dangerous term for Broughton Road up to Engine Shed Lane.”

Cllr Myers said the work, which was originally planned by Craven District Council, had been delayed by local government reorganisation.

He added: “We appreciate that, but we really need to see this delivered.

“I’m quite bored of this being on the agenda, I don’t want to see it on the agenda.”

Councillor Richard Foster, member for Wharfedale, said the scheme had been delayed by the “glacial” Environment Agency.

He added: “This road was always probably going to flood at certain times of extreme water.

“We have roads all over North Yorkshire that flood in times of extreme water. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t put this road in.

“The public drives past and sees both ends of this road, and the bit in the middle that isn’t there, and wonders when it’s going to get done, so can we just get on with it.”

Councillor Andy Solloway, member for the Skipton West and West Craven division, added: “It would drastically change the way traffic flows in Skipton if you have this.”

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