Long overdue bypass repair work finally underway

Works to repair the failed surface of Selby's beleaguered bypass will get under way today with a series of part-day closures are beginning early next week.

A section of the ailing road, between the roundabouts at Barlby's Greencore factory and The Wishingwell on Bawtry Road, will be closed between 9:30 am and 3:30pm from next Monday as contractors make a start on the major scheme of remedial works. During the closure North Yorkshire County Council is also due to undertake re-surfacing work on the bypass swing bridge.

Full 24-hour closures will commence from May 5th until July 17th, when large-scale excavations in the failed carriageway will render the road unusable.

Works are set to pause between May 1st and May 4th as Selby welcomes visitors for the Tour de Yorkshire.

The state of the bypass has become an increasingly hot topic amongst Selebians over recent years with the condition of the crumbling surface appearing to lie in the quality of the materials used by the Highways Agency's contractors in the construction of the road's lower layers. Permanent repairs to the road are therefore of a structural nature and come at a high cost.

David Bowe, corporate director for North Yorkshire County Council said, "Traffic movement will not be affected with the beginning of works as contractors are simply moving on to set out the site.

"Work will begin in earnest the week following but then break off for the bank holiday and to ensure the success of the Tour de Yorkshire as it passes through the area. The authority will be working closely with Welcome to Yorkshire to ensure that all necessary routes are open to traffic and the increased numbers of visitors expected to come to Selby for the occasion.

"The Selby bypass has been in need of structural repair for some time and I know that residents and road users will be relieved when the surface is finally put right."