WORK on the £60 million realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill ‘remains on track’ even though a decision on the choice of contractor to oversee the project is still to be made.

Building a new stretch of road next to the landslip prone section of the A59 between Skipton and Harrogate is ‘one of its most ambitious’ ever highways projects says North Yorkshire County Council and a final decision on choice of contractor should be made later this year.

Councillor Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways, said: “We are making good progress on the Kex Gill road scheme, which is one of the most ambitious highways projects which has ever been undertaken by North Yorkshire County Council.

“The Government also recognises the significance of the scheme which provides a key route running from east to west, and it is in the top 10 projects of strategic importance nationally.

“A final decision on the contractor who will oversee the Kex Gill road scheme is due to be made by North Yorkshire County Council later this year.

“The timescale for the project remains on track, with preparatory work due to begin on site at the end of this year. Actual work on the scheme is expected to start early next year.”

Cllr Simon Myers, chairman of Craven District Council and a member of the county council executive, said it was essential that the new section of road was built.

“For us, it is not about High Speed 2 (the planned high speed railway from London to Manchester), its east west connectivity and the A59 is absolutely crucial.

“We’ve no choice, the road is going to eventually fall into the gill. We’ve already spent millions propping it up, but it is absolutely essential that the road is built.”

The road is a key east-west link for the county and the section at Kex Gill has been hit by 12 landslides in as many years, leading to diversions for motorists and costs for the council.

In one instance, a landslide in January 2016 shut the road for eight weeks.

The council had hoped works would start last autumn, however, the project has been hit by several delays including objections to compulsory purchase orders which the council made to acquire land for the new route.

Minerals company Sibelco also attempted to call in the project for a public inquiry, but this was rejected by the government.

Funding for the project is coming from the Department of Transport which has agreed to provide £56 million, while the council will make up the rest of the costs.