A SECTION of A-road is due to be closed for almost three months to enable electricity works to serve a new controversial designer outlet near Richmond.

A section of the A6108 between Scotch Corner and the Skeeby substation will be shut until April 21 after Northern Powergrid shortened the planned 14-week closure down to 11-weeks.

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The closure, which was implemented on Monday February 7, is in place from the site of the new Designer Outlet Village, located near Scotch Corner, to the Skeeby substation between Skeeby and Richmond.

The Northern Echo: The A6108 between Scotch Corner and Skeeby substation will be closed for several weeks Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTThe A6108 between Scotch Corner and Skeeby substation will be closed for several weeks Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Northern Powergrid is closing the road while it lays underground electricity cables to connect the new Designer Outlet Village to the power network and also to support the installation of ten new vehicle charging points at Scotch Corner Services.

The firm says that by creating more robust links between existing substations, it is also increasing the overall reliability of the local network, reducing the time it takes to restore electricity supplies if there is a power cut in the future.

From now until Friday March 18, the company will be working from the A6108/A6055 roundabout to Scurragh Lane in Skeeby.

This means that, although the road is closed to through traffic, Skeeby residents, businesses and buses will still have access.

The Northern Echo: Map detailing where and when the road closure will be in placeMap detailing where and when the road closure will be in place

Traffic marshalls will be in place at the junction of the A6108/Scurragh Lane as well as Skeeby substation to assist with this.

From March 21 until April 21, the road will remain closed while the company works from the junction of Scurragh Lane through Skeeby village.

The road reopens on Friday April 22.

Northern Powergrid is also carrying out some associated work in the area which will continue until the end of May 2022.

This will see the company digging in the grass verge, footpath and roadway between Skeeby substation (located on the A6108 near the entrance of Dale2Swale Glamping) and the junction of Ronaldshay Drive/Cross Lanes in Richmond.

From Friday April 22 until mid-May 2022, Northern Powergrid will carry out the final sections of its work along the A6108 between Skeeby village and Skeeby substation using two-way traffic lights.

The Northern Echo: An artist's impression of how the Scotch Corner Designer Village will lookAn artist's impression of how the Scotch Corner Designer Village will look

Around the clock vehicle and pedestrian access will be maintained for Skeeby residents and emergency vehicles.

The company will also work with businesses to ensure they can arrange to continue to receive deliveries.

Throughout the closure, a signposted diversion will be in place along the A6055/A6136 through Brompton on Swale, Brough with St Giles, Colburn, Catterick Garrison and then along Richmond Road, Longwood Bank and Rimington Avenue to Richmond.

A letter was sent out today to everyone directly impacted by Northern Powergrid’s contractors working along the route.

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In the letter, John Stewart, project manager at O’Connor Utilities said: “We originally planned to dig in the road along Ronaldshay Drive, but we’ve changed our route to reduce the impact to residents.

The Northern Echo: Graphic showing where the Designer Village will beGraphic showing where the Designer Village will be

“We’ll now continue to work along the A6108 using rolling multi-way traffic lights.

“Traffic along the A6108 should already be far lighter than normal due to the road closure between Skeeby and Scotch Corner, but to further offset the impact of this work, we’re carrying out as much of it as possible during February half-term and the two-week school holiday at Easter.

“We will not be working over the Bank Holiday weekend.”

He added: “Pedestrian access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.

“We’re not planning to turn off anyone’s power and it’s unlikely we’ll need access to premises.

“We thank you in advance for your patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused while we complete these important improvements to the electricity network in your area.”

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