NORTH Yorkshire County Council are set to carry annual maintenance work to ensure the route is safe.

The work will begin later this month by a council highways team and will see a full road closure from the morning of September 12 to September 19.

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Sutton Bank will reportedly remain closed until Sunday September 26 for utility works by BT.

Councillor Gareth Dadd, member for the Thirsk division, said: "We have worked incredibly closely with BT to keep the timescale of their work to two weeks.

"They are able to carry out part of their work during our annual maintenance which will minimise disruption as much as possible.

“We ask road users for their cooperation during the closure as the work is essential in keeping this important route in good condition to meet the traffic demands placed on it.”

The route for the diversion will be from the A19 South from Thirsk to the York Ring Road; East along the York Ring Road to the junction with A64 or North on the A64, joining the A169 to Pickering and onto the A170.

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Councillor Caroline Goodrick, who represents Ampleforth, said: "Whilst I appreciate that the maintenance work causes short term inconvenience, for which we apologise, the benefits of the work long term outweigh the inconvenience.

"This year traffic will be directed away from Ampleforth village and I know the villagers will be very grateful for this change as the main route through the village is often difficult to negotiate due to parked vehicles.”

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: “Residents have welcomed the decision to change the diversion route as we realise parked vehicles in Ampleforth will be a real problem, especially with more people working from home.

“We have also considered the implications of the extended closure. If the usual diversion was in place this would direct traffic through the small village of Ampleforth for an extra week. 

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“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience, but ask you to familiarise yourself with the diversion route and allow extra time for your journeys.”

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