Stuart Clarkson

10:00am - 2:00pm

Email the studio

Carly Simon

You're So Vain

Listen Live Podcasts

Skipton MP praises 'tremendous progress' of £82.5million Kex Gill project

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 07:00

The A59 at Kex Gill project is expected to be completed in Spring 2026.

Ripon and Skipton MP Sir Julian Smith has praised the “tremendous progress” of the £82.5million Kex Gill realignment scheme.

Julian visited the site on Friday (28th November) alongside Rt Hon Richard Holden MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, and representatives from North Yorkshire Council to receive an update on progress with this major infrastructure scheme.

The A59 is a vital Trans-Pennine route, but the Kex Gill section has faced repeated landslips, causing lengthy closures, costly repairs and significant disruption for businesses and communities.

The £82.5 million realignment project will deliver a 4.8km route north of the existing road, improving safety and resilience.

During the visit, Julian and the Shadow Transport Secretary met representatives from North Yorkshire Council, John Sisk & Son, and project engineers to discuss progress and challenges.

The scheme includes 12 new structures, 12km of utility diversions, 9km of drainage pipes, and extensive environmental measures such as 12,000 new trees and 60 wildlife boxes.

Completion is expected in Spring 2026.

Julian said:

“This project is essential for the long-term reliability of the A59 and for supporting local businesses and communities.

“It was great to see the progress being made and to thank the teams working hard to deliver one of North Yorkshire’s most ambitious highways projects.”

Rt Hon Richard Holden MP said:

"It is great to see the tremendous progress on this vital project, which I began as Roads Minister in 2023 and which Sir Julian has long championed.

"Large-scale infrastructure schemes inevitably face environmental and weather-related challenges, but it is encouraging to see these being mitigated where possible by teams working tirelessly on the ground in all conditions.

"We all look forward to the project’s completion and the growth and opportunities it will bring across the North of England and the country."

The visit followed Julian's intervention in the House of Commons on delays and cost overruns on the project.

More from Local news

Usage fee of up to 50p proposed for council-run public toilets

A fee of up to 50p could be introduced to use public toilets across North Yorkshire, while underused or dilapidated conveniences could be closed.
Vintage outdoor clothing shop to open in Skipton

The Kit Vault will open in Skipton soon offering a range of outdoor clothing.
Quarter of a million to receive water bill support in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Water is on track to provide 250,000 customers with financial support by April this year.
Nobby smashes £30k target with charity shoot

Nobby Clarke, from Silsden held his annual charity clay pigeon shoot on New Year's Day and taken his all time fundraising total through the £30,000 mark for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.
Skipton Rotary announce youth competitions for another year

The community project is running their youth competitions for children in the Craven area.
Skipton to have say on Town Investment Plan

North Yorkshire Council is inviting people to have their say on the future of Skipton as work continues on the development of a new Town Investment Plan.
Above inflation rent rise for North Yorkshire council houses

Council house rents in North Yorkshire are set for an above-inflation increase to pay for improvements and more affordable homes.
Sue Ryder's Christmas Treecycling Scheme grows to new heights

Local healthcare and bereavement charity Sue Ryder is celebrating the ‘treemendous’ support of Airedale, Wharfedale, the Dales communities who took part in this year’s Christmas Treecycling scheme.
Roadworks planned at Keighley Road and Carleton Road junctions in Skipton this month

North Yorkshire Council has written to residents and businesses near Keighley Road, Craven Street and the Keighley Road/Carleton Road junction.
Festive tractor run raises £50,000 for charity as grand total is revealed

The grand total of last year’s ‘Rudolph’s Run’ has been revealed - and it’s cleared the £50,000 mark.
Skipton MP meets town council to discuss bus station antisocial behaviour

The local MP for Skipton and Ripon, Sir Julian Smith, has met with Skipton Town Council representatives to discuss a number of issues affecting the town.
Conservative councillors take swipes at Reform amid budget talks

Senior North Yorkshire Conservative councillors took veiled - and not so veiled - swipes at Reform while discussing their authority’s finances at a key meeting.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance appoints new CEO

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity has announced the appointment of Kathryn Marsden OBE as its new Chief Executive Officer
Council to increase council tax by maximum after £43m "wallop" from government

Council chiefs say they have no choice but to raise council tax by the maximum allowed after receiving a £43m "wallop" in cuts from the government.
Cost of Skipton garden bin licence revealed

Skipton residents are being reminded to purchase their garden waste collection licence ahead of the launch of the annual service in March.
Airedale Hospital receives £8,000 donation from Sovereign Health Care

The West Yorkshire-based cash-plan provider donated the money last week.
Local MP shares Kex Gill progress update

Local MP for Skipton and Ripon has shared an update on the works at Kex Gill.
New incentive could save Skipton housebuyers up to £25,000

Housebuilder, Bellway has launched a new incentive campaign offering savings of up to £25,000 to buyers looking to purchase a new home in Skipton.
Second Yorkshire Cancer Research shop opens in Skipton

The new shop follows the success of the first shop in Craven Court.
The Joyful Deli rises from the ashes

An Addingham café destroyed by fire last June has showed off how its amazing new interior will look.