Motorists are feeling the benefits of a multi-million pound upgrade to a busy A1 junction now that lengthy roadworks have finished.
The upgrade to Junction 47 on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire was carried out to help tackle traffic tailbacks and attract new enterprise to the county.
And two months after its completion, officials say it is already having huge benefits for commuters, residents and holiday-makers.
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The improvements are designed to boost transport links on both the dual carriageway, as well as the A59 running east to west and serving key destinations including York, Skipton and Lancashire.
The county council’s executive member for highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “The upgrades to Junction 47 have made a significant difference, reducing congestion and improving road safety.
“The scheme unlocks future growth in and around Harrogate, with the changes helping to manage significant residential and commercial development anticipated along the A59 corridor.
“We are proud to have worked together with public and private partners to deliver this key improvement for the benefit of residents, visitors and employers.”
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest business organisations in the Harrogate area.
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It is a major employer of local people, many of whom use the major A1(M) junction on their daily commute, and Chief Executive David Simister, said: “The investment has certainly made a big difference to traffic flow at this major traffic intersection.
“Having used it on a number of occasions since its completion, it is not only benefitting commuters exiting the A1(M), but also those accessing it as well as those travelling along the A59.
“Improving transport links to and from the Harrogate district will benefit business too, which is particularly welcomed by me and my Chamber colleagues.”
The scheme involved the widening of three of the four slip roads onto and off the roundabout to increase capacity, as well as a number of junction improvements.
Traffic signals have been installed on the roundabout to improve traffic flow and added to the T-junction between the A168 and the A59 a short distance from Junction 47 on the York side to benefit drivers turning onto the A59 and to improve safety.
To the west of Junction 47, between the A1 and the Flaxby roundabout, a lane has been added for traffic travelling east, so there is two lanes in each direction between those two roundabouts.
The project has been supported by £2.47m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, along with contributions from North Yorkshire County Council, National Highways and the developer, Forward Investment LLP.
The challenges encountered on the complex project increased the cost, which was approximately £10m in September 2021 compared with an original budget cost of £7.7m.
The delays were caused by the discovery of a protected species, great crested newts, as they legally had to be relocated, as well as poor ground conditions on the southbound slip road.
During the coronavirus pandemic, operatives had to comply with secure site procedures which also extended the timescale.
The latest estimated costs are the subject of detailed discussions with the county council’s contractor and will be publicly available once they have been agreed.
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