MOTORISTS are being asked to follow diversions in place for their own safety during the continued closure of the A59 at Kex Gill.

A week after the road between Skipton and Blubberhouses was fully closed after a crack appeared next to the carriageway several days earlier, North Yorkshire Council is unable to say when it will re-open.

The authority's area highways manager, Melisa Burnham, said: "Following the closure of the A59 at Kex Gill, our highways team has been conducting detailed site investigations, closely monitoring the area, and assessing the most effective repair scheme.

“The closure is a result of land instability due to the heavy rainfall experienced over a prolonged period this winter and is not related to the ongoing construction works.

“However, this closure does once again highlight the necessary decision to carry out the ambitious realignment project of the A59 at Kex Gill, which has had a long history of landslips.

“A signed diversion is in place and we ask all road users to adhere to the closure and diversion for their safety. “We appreciate the inconvenience caused and would like to reassure the public that we will be carrying out this repair as quickly and as safely as possible.”

A new under construction three mile road to bypass the landslip prone section of the A59 at Kex Gill is due to be completed by autumn, 2025, and is set to cost £68.8 million.

It will start close to North Moor Road and finish at Blubberhouses, close to Swinsty reservoir car park. The Department of Transport is providing £56.1m with the remaining money coming from North Yorkshire Council