North Yorkshire Council is preparing to safeguard the future of the A59 with an extra £11.7 million of investment in its major Kex Gill realignment project.
Essential work is currently under way to bypass a section of the key east-west route near Blubberhouses, which has closed repeatedly over the years due to a series of landslips.
The most ambitious highways project ever undertaken by the council, work on the new four-kilometre road remains on track to open in spring 2026.
However, the council’s executive is due to be told that extra investment is required to cover essential and unforeseen changes to the scheme.
Councillors will consider on Tuesday, May 13, a request for an extra £11.7m to cover costs of design changes and additional work. An additional contingency budget is also being requested given there are likely to be further costs in the future.
If agreed, it means at this stage the budget for the project, excluding the contingency, would stand at £82.5m.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:
"Repeated closures of the A59 cause misery for our local communities, businesses and road users.
“There have been 15 since 2000 and they’ve cost us over £6m to repair so far.
“Without the new bypass, there is a significant risk of further costly and disruptive closures, that could ultimately threaten the road’s long-term future.
“That’s why we are keen to ensure work continues at pace and the new road can open to the public as quickly as possible.
“This will require extra investment to cover additional costs relating to factors that could not have been foreseen and that are outside of the council’s control.
“Despite these unfortunate extra costs, we are making excellent progress on site, and if this extra investment is agreed, the new road will be on track to open next spring.”
While the initial project cost included projections for risks of inflationary costs, the council’s contractor John Sisk & Son can seek additional payment for extra time and/or costs for dealing with unexpected changes, known as a ‘compensation event’.
These compensation events include the safe removal, transportation and disposal of a larger volume of material from the site than had been expected, totalling some 200,000 tonnes.
Other events include extra design and labour costs as a result of changing from a piling to earthworks solution, as well as costs incurred by the Department for Transport’s later than expected award of funding.
As well as the construction of the new carriageway, the project encompasses new bridleways and footpaths, four kilometres of natural stone walls, two balancing ponds, and an extensive environmental scheme to enrich local habitats in this national landscape, including planting 12,000 trees and installing several bird and barn owl boxes.
A total of 12 new culverts are also being installed to ensure water flows under the new road safely. These include mammal shelves and ledges to allow animals such as badgers, otters and other wildlife to pass through or nest.
To date, Sisk has worked with a vast number of local suppliers, contributing millions of pounds into the local economy, as well as employing local people and supporting young people with engineering apprenticeships.
Sisk has also carried out several schemes, including making and donating wooden toys to local schools, a litter pick at Fewston Reservoir and donating to local food banks.
Global Microsoft outage causes disruption to councils and schools in North Yorkshire
Two Keighley neighbours win £377,224 each in Postcode Lottery draw
Meet the family behind Drift - Skipton's new restaurant
Skipton MP backs Conservative welfare reform plan
Hundreds of donated spectacles handed over in Skipton
Royal Oak pub reopens under new management with plans for major changes
New Cats Protection superstore to open in Skipton this month
North Yorkshire Council cancels planning meetings amid new government rules
Skipton Repair Café volunteers fix 81 items in one day
Christmas toy appeal launches to help families across Skipton
Kex Gill A59 traffic restrictions expected to be lifted in early December
Talks continue over future of Settle dairy site
Work begins at former Gargrave care home earmarked for 16 affordable homes
Council accused of 'illusion of listening' over school transport consultation
North Yorkshire councillors to vote on next chief executive
Skipton keeps its place among Britain's 10 happiest places to live
Local care provider celebrates double win at Bradford Care Awards
Veterans selling poppies on Northern trains say support from passengers has been 'heartwarming'
Skipton MP raises concerns over proposed visitor levy and impact on rural tourism
£1million of Keighley Cougars stadium funding redirected to Cavendish Street improvements
