FAMILIES whose farms are being split by a £34m bypass say they are being left in the dark after being forced to sell their land so the road can be built.

Farmers Ian and Joanne Bowe, from Gatenby and Richard and Sarah Wilson, from Aiskew, never wanted to sell their land for the new Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar bypass.

However, they accepted they had no choice after the plans were approved by North Yorkshire County Council.

Compulsory purchase orders - which work out compensation and how the work will be done - were made two months ago, but the farmers claim there’s been a total lack of information from the council, even though they’ve appointed agents and specialist solicitors.

Mr Bowe’s family have farmed 70 acres of land at Low Street, near Leeming Bar, for over 100 years, but the bypass route will plough right through the middle and around 12 acres is being taken through compulsory purchase.

“It splits the land in two and there are a lot of major details that need sorting out, fences and entrances, and an underpass,” he said.

“But I can’t get anyone who has any authority to meet me, we have no-one to negotiate with. Our agents say they are being very heavy-handed and that this is unprecedented.

He added; “It is infuriating because this is our livelihood. The council seem to be trying to leave it to the contractors but they can’t give us answers. We can’t use the land, but they don’t own it and we’re having to farm either side of it. It really makes us fear for the future.”

Mr and Mrs Wilson farm nearly 400 acres at Aiskew Grange which is split down the middle by the bypass with around 13 acres being compulsory purchased.

“With the county council it’s chaos, we just can’t get them to talk to us and it’s very worrying,” said Mrs Wilson.

A council spokesman said: “The majority of claims received have not detailed the basis of the claim and so we are awaiting a response from agents to our request for these details. In those cases where we have received details, advance payments will be made shortly. This will be followed by discussions to agree the final compensation package.”