Major road improvement scheme in Yorkshire could cause disruption

Highways England has announced plans for a series of improvements on the A64, in January to give smoother journeys for drivers travelling between Bramham and Staxton. The work, which starts on Monday, will include eight resurfacing schemes, upgrades to four pedestrian and cycling routes and two projects to improve white lines and reflective road studs. But motorists could face delays as road closures and diversions will be in place on stretches of the road during the work. Roger Wantling, Highways England service delivery team leader, said: “We are making a series of improvements along the A64 between Bramham and Staxton over the next few months to provide better journeys for drivers. “We plan to start with work to the bridge at Bishopthorpe on Monday January 4, which will require some overnight closures. We understand this work will cause some disruption for drivers and would like to thank them for their patience while we carry out this work.” Work will also take place to clear vegetation as well as general maintenance. Highways England said clearly signed diversions will be in place for all road closures. Mr Wantling said all work was subject to weather conditions and flood risks. He added: “This is obviously dependant on the weather. Over the last few days York and the surrounding area has been hit by severe rainfall which has caused flooding locally and has affected a bridge at Tadcaster. “We are monitoring this ongoing situation and will only commence with our work if we are assured that the impact on the local community is manageable with what is happening on the local authority roads. “We will let people know if this does change our programme of work.” The scheme is due to start on Monday. The following works and closures will be in place as part of the project: Work will start with the replacement of safety barriers on the bridge that runs over the River Ouse at Bishopthorpe on Monday. The A64 will be closed for five nights during the work to install narrow lanes and protective barriers and a 50mph speed limit will be in place at Askham Bar and Fulford junctions, for three miles during the day. It will then be closed again towards the end of February for three nights to remove the barriers. From the end of March, work will start on replacing the main expansion joint on the eastbound carriageway. It will be carried out overnight and require full overnight closure of the eastbound carriageway between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Friday. The project is due to be completed in May. The speed limit will be reduced to 30mph on the eastbound carriageway across the bridge during the day while work takes place. In Scarborough, resurfacing work will start on Monday at the westbound carriageway from where the A64 meets the B1248 Scarborough to where it meets the A169 for Pickering for around a week. The resurfacing work will require overnight road closures of the westbound carriageway. White lines and reflective road studs will also be renewed on Monday 4 January between Musley Bank to the junction of the A169 for Pickering for a week and the eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight between the junctions. Resurfacing work is due to continue on the A64 around Tadcaster from Monday January 11, starting with work on the eastbound exit slip road at Headley Bar. The eastbound A64 will be closed overnight for two nights from Bramham to Tadcaster Ings. Once completed, work is planned to start on the westbound carriageway - which will be closed between Tadcaster Bar and Headley Bar until the project is finished at the end of the month. Work is also due to take place in January and February to resurface the eastbound entry and exit slip roads where the A64 meets the A169 for Pickering, and renew the white lines and reflective road studs at Whitwell. Finally, at the end of January resurfacing work is due to start at Ganton, which will require a full overnight closure of the A64 for around a week.