Milestone reached in £82.5m Kex Gill realignment scheme
It's on track to be completed by Spring 2026
A major step forward has been made in the Kex Gill realignment scheme as base layers of asphalt are now being laid on the new section of the A59, near Blubberhouses. The project, led by North Yorkshire Council, is the most ambitious highways undertaking in the authority’s history, with a total budget now standing at £82.5 million.
The scheme aims to reroute a four-kilometre stretch of the A59 — one of the country’s key east-west routes — which has faced repeated closures due to landslips. Since 2000, there have been 15 landslips in the area, costing over £6 million in repairs and causing significant disruption.
Dry weather has allowed the project to progress at pace, including the construction of culverts, a retaining wall, new drainage systems, and a bridleway. Additional works include extensive environmental improvements, such as planting 12,000 trees, installing bird and barn owl boxes, and adding wildlife-friendly features to culverts for animals like badgers and otters.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, said:
“This is a milestone moment in the Kex Gill realignment project which is key to safeguarding the future of the A59. The realignment will provide much better connectivity for all road users and a major boost to the county’s economy.”
The new route is scheduled to open in spring 2026.