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Opening of new Kex Gill road delayed again due to weather

Tuesday, 7 July 2026 07:46

The A59 at Kex Gill project has been delayed.

Motorists will have to wait longer than expected before the new A59 route at Kex Gill opens after weather caused another delay to the £82.5 million project.

The new 2.5-mile stretch of road, which bypasses the landslip-prone section between Skipton and Blubberhouses, had been due to open yesterday (Monday).

However, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed the opening has been postponed because of periods of 'exceptionally wet' weather.

The project's planned opening in June was also delayed following a period of exceptionally wet conditions.

No revised opening date has been announced, although it is now considered unlikely the road will open before the start of the Great Yorkshire Show next Tuesday (14th July).

Construction on the £82.5 million scheme began in 2023 and has been described by the council as its most ambitious highways project to date due to the complexity of the ground conditions.

The new road replaces a section of the A59 that has suffered 15 landslips since 2000, resulting in repeated closures, disruption for motorists and more than £6 million in repair costs.

Once open, the upgraded route is expected to improve journey times, reliability and resilience on the key road linking Harrogate, Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales.

Evening closures on the A59 are expected to continue while final surfacing work is completed, with temporary traffic lights remaining in place at Blubberhouses.

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