YORKSHIRE Water has reversed plans to cut off a Yorkshire Dales community for four weeks after alarmed residents voiced concerns over being completely isolated.

The firm’s contractors Morrisons were due to dig up the main route into Arkengarthdale in June for up to four weeks to work on pipelines – and would have to close the width of the road rather than use a traffic light system.

Swaledale resident Tony Oldershaw said Morrisons were unable to explain why the particular route of the pipeline had been chosen rather than running it through fields to the east of the road.

He said: “Morrisons admitted that, from a construction viewpoint the field option would be preferred by them – but the road route has been dictated by Yorkshire Water.

“Considerable discussions have also taken place over several months with North Yorkshire County Council regarding the closure.”

Upper Dales councillor John Blackie contacted Yorkshire Water with concerns that residents and businesses would be adversely affected by the closure – and that they were told they would have to make their own arrangements to use alternative routes.

After hearing from Cllr Blackie, Yorkshire Water agreed to hold back on the work until a better solution could be found.

A Yorkshire Water spokeswoman said: “We understand that a closure of Arkengarthdale Road would be disruptive to local residents and that is why we have offered to meet with local stakeholders next week to discuss the scheme.

“There are various ways that we could manage our arrangements to minimise the impact of our work, but all will carry a certain degree of disruption.

“We'd like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this scheme and hope customers can bear with us, as this project is essential to ensure we can continue to supply the area with the highest quality drinking water."