Council makes plea for £6.7M Government cash for bypass repairs
Cap-in-hand County Councillors have asked the Government for a multi-million pound hand-out to help it pay the bill for fixing Selby's beleaguered bypass.
Selby
Highway officials at County Hall submitted the bid for some £6.7 million of Government cash as they look to secure funding to support is scheme of major structural works required to the A63. The bid is part of a wider package of almost £32 million pounds the council says it will need as it struggles fund maintenance across the county's 5,600 road network.
If the Council's bid is successful, the money will come from the Government's 'Challenge Fund', a pot of money set aside by Westminster to allow highway authorities to gain funding for major maintenance projects that are difficult to fund through their normal budgets. A decision on whether the bids is successful is expected in the spring.
County Councillor Gareth Dadd (Con, NYCC Thirsk), said, "In common with the rest of the country, North Yorkshire is facing the challenge of having to make huge savings.
"We are committed to undertaking this work, because this major route has an important part to play in promoting the long-term economic prosperity of Selby, easing congestion and supporting the flow of transport around the district."
NYCC has been supported by Selby MP, Nigel Adams, as it lobbied Whitehall about what it calls a 'maintenance crisis' that has faced the county's roads over the past 18 months. Adams, who instigated an online campaign to have the bypass repaired, said, "I am wholeheartedly behind this bid for funds to support the Selby bypass repairs and am delighted that the county council is to start this work shortly. This road is vital for residents, businesses and visitors to the area and has been in a very bad state for too long."
The highways authority has been carrying out an enhanced inspection of the pot-holed bypass and coorinating a 'reactive repair regime' to ensure the road remains safe through the winter. It says it plans to make a start on permanent repairs as soon as possible in April.
News of NYCC's plea to the Government comes the authority admitted it is still yet to secure funds from the Highways Agency – the organisation that commissioned and oversaw the construction of the failing road less than two decades ago.
Cllr Dadd said, "Though the negotiations with the Highways Agency continue, there is no doubt that these structural repairs will be undertaken."