Landslip-hit road to remain closed until April

Part of a major road in North Yorkshire is to remain shut until after Easter because of serious damage.

The landslip-prone A59 at Kex Gill has been shut since 2 February after a crack appeared in its verge.

North Yorkshire Council said further work had been identified and wet weather had also delayed repairs.

The closure means a lengthy diversion route for motorists through Ilkley.

A meeting of councillors for the Skipton and Ripon area was given an update on the issue on Tuesday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The committee chairman Councillor Richard Foster said there had been a new “slippage” on the hill that needed repairing and that wet weather had caused delays.

He added works were still ongoing around Blubberhouses due to the previously found crack.

“There are a lot of affected businesses coming forward and the council is doing what it can and is letting people through when it can," he said.

The section of the A59 is prone to landslips and last year work began on a major £68.9m realignment of the road, a scheme which is due to be completed in late 2025.

However, the council has insisted that the closure was not related to these works.

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