John Sisk & Son have been appointed to carry out the re-alignment of the A59 at Kex Gill.

Sisk has a strong local presence in Yorkshire having recently completed the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP) City Centre Gateways and are delivering major infrastructure work at York Central.

North Yorkshire County Council has awarded preferred bidder status to Sisk pending contract award. This is dependent on funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) who are currently reviewing the Full Business Case with a decision expected in October.

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The aim is to begin the work in January 2023. Contractors will move on site during December 2022 to clear the moorland by late February 2023 to avoid the bird nesting season. An estimated completion date is May 2025.

Kex Gill, between Skipton and Blubberhouses, has a history of landslips and over the years there have been many unplanned and costly closures. They cause an inconvenience for users of the A59, the surrounding towns and villages, and are damaging for businesses and local farmers.

Grant funding was awarded by the DfT at £56.1m against the original budget estimate of £61.6m, with the remainder to be plugged by the county council’s capital reserves.

Following tender returns, the estimated cost of the project has increased by £7.2m to £68.8m as construction markets have seen a huge rise in inflation. Therefore, the Executive has approved an increase in its allocated funding from £5.5m to £12.7m, given the DfT grant is fixed.

Sisk will move on site during December 2022 to clear the moorland by late February 2023 to avoid the bird nesting season. An estimated completion date is May 2025.