Your Skipton Radio

6:00pm - 6:30am

Email the studio

Erasure

Stop

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

Man arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs in Skipton

A man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs following a plain-clothes police operation in Skipton.
£20m regeneration programme launched for Keighley

A new £20million programme aimed at supporting the long-term regeneration of Keighley has been launched.
Skipton Three Peaks challenge raises £8,000 for dementia charity

Walkers have raised more than £8,000 for Dementia Forward after completing an 18-mile challenge around the Skipton countryside.
Keighley shops can keep selling alcohol despite licences being revoked

Four Keighley stores that were found selling illegal goods will be able to sell alcohol until February, despite Councillors deciding they should be stripped of their licences in March.
Police search for Keighley man following Skipton burglary

Police are appealing for help to find a wanted man in connection with a burglary in Skipton.
Beer and Gin Festival returning to Glusburn this weekend

A popular beer and gin festival is returning to Glusburn this weekend with local drinks, food and live music.
North Yorkshire hospices warn of cuts and closures as funding crisis deepens

Hospice services across North Yorkshire are at risk of cuts and closure as a multi-million-pound funding crisis deepens, charity chiefs have warned.
Silsden care home launches appeal for handmade clothes protectors

A Silsden care home is calling on local crafters and sewers to help create handmade clothes protectors for its residents.
Keighley named best town in Yorkshire for second year running

Keighley has been named the Best Overall Town in Yorkshire for the second consecutive year at the Yorkshire in Bloom Awards.
Long-running Skipton craft shop to close as owners retire

A long-running Yorkshire craft business is set to close its Skipton shop as its owners announce their retirement.
Airedale Seniors Collective celebrates successful Silsden gathering

A community initiative aimed at bringing older people together across the Aire Valley has celebrated the success of its second event.
Skipton fish and chip shop sponsors junior football team

Young footballers in Skipton have unveiled a brand new kit thanks to the support of a local fish and chip shop.
64 arrests made in North Yorkshire Police's biggest ever operation

North Yorkshire Police made 64 arrests during a 24-hour crackdown on serious and organised crime across the county.
Skipton BID celebrates Silver Gilt success at Yorkshire in Bloom Awards

Skipton BID is celebrating after receiving a Silver Gilt award at the 2026 Yorkshire in Bloom Awards.
Skipton BID rejects claims town is struggling

Skipton BID has rejected suggestions that the town 'as a whole' is struggling while backing calls for investment to improve Skipton Market.
Sugden End tip reopening approved after £400,000 funding row

Sugden End tip near Keighley will re-open by the end of the year, despite an impassioned debate over how it will be funded.
Over 500 Afghans resettled in North Yorkshire as 23 households await new homes

More than 500 people from Afghanistan have now been resettled in North Yorkshire, according to a new report outlining progress with the county’s refugee programmes.
Craven College students join campaign to reopen Skipton-Colne railway

Craven College students are joining the campaign to reopen the missing rail link between Skipton and Colne.
Cyclist dies following collision on A59 near Skipton

Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist died following a collision on the A59 near Skipton.
Terminal illness council tax exemption could cost North Yorkshire £2.2m a year

Plans to exempt terminally ill residents from paying council tax could cost North Yorkshire Council up to £2.2m a year, a new report has revealed.