Extra measures are being taken to ensure Otley doesn’t suffer traffic chaos when a section of the A59 closes next week.

The town was frequently clogged up by diverted traffic the last time repairs to the road, which lies within North Yorkshire County Council’s area, forced its closure.

But North Yorkshire and Leeds City Council say plans are in place to prevent that happening again when a five-week landslip stabilisation scheme begins on the A59, near Blubberhouses, on Monday, June 6.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), is particularly concerned about the risk of gridlock during Otley Carnival on Saturday, June 18, and had raised the issue – asking if North Yorkshire could open the A59 just for the day.

Although that is not going to happen, an agreement has been reached between the two authorities to increase signage to the north, west and east of Otley to steer motorists away from the town centre.

The signed diversion that will be in place until Sunday, July 10, will direct drivers via Ilkley onto Otley by-pass and along the A660 up to the Dyneley Arms junction, then down to Pool and on towards Harrogate on the A658. Council officers are wary of drivers trying to cut through Otley and onto the A659 Pool Road.

In an e-mail to ward councillors, Leeds City Council’s traffic manager, Phil Mitchell, said: “We are aware that when the previous emergency closure was in place it did cause disruption, particularly in Otley town centre.

“We have met with the project manager for the works and asked for additional signs and cones to be put in place at various locations to try and ensure drivers keep on the correct diversion route and do not divert through Otley, in particular down the B6451 Farnley Lane.

“We will be monitoring the disruption on the affected highway network during the closure and we are also working with work promoters to ensure that no planned works take place on these routes during this period.”

Coun Campbell said he was pleased some action was being taken to minimise disruption, especially on carnival day when a traffic safety officer from the A59 scheme will monitor the Otley area to see if any further measures need to be taken.

He said: “I had asked if they could suspend the works on carnival day, but the answer was no. However they do seem to be taking some positive steps to head off any problems, and I think this is helpful.”