MOTORISTS are being warned to expect delays and diversions as work continues on the construction of the long-awaited Bedale bypass.

Traffic management will be put in place from June 24 to 26 while Northern Powergrid carry out work on the A684 at North End, Bedale, as part of the construction of a new roundabout.

Traffic control will be confined to off-peak times, and will be intermittent for short periods.

Next month, the link road between junction 51 of the A1(M) and Leases Road – together with part of Leases Road itself – will be closed to enable construction of a new roundabout and link road.

It is expected the closure will last for approximately six months, from July 30.

A diversion route will be signed along the A6055 and A684, and a temporary entrance to Coneygarth services will be available from the link road next to the junction 51 eastern roundabout.

The county’s executive member for highways, Cllr Don Mackenzie said: “The bypass is a major construction project which will bring enormous benefits to local people and to the wider economy of North Yorkshire, and unfortunately some disruption is inevitable in a scheme on this scale.

“However everything possible will be done to ensure delays are minimised.”