Drivers warned over 'disruptive' road closure

The B6271 will be shut between 21 July and 15 August, according to Yorkshire Water

A planned four-week road closure for water mains work in part of North Yorkshire will be "disruptive" for people living and working in the area, Yorkshire Water has said.

The B6271 between Richmond and Brompton-on-Swale is scheduled to be shut between 21 July and 15 August.

The full closure has been authorised to allow Yorkshire Water to complete a £1.5m project to replace 1.1 miles (1.8km) of water mains which the firm said would improve the reliability of the network.

The scheme would reduce leaks, prevent water main bursts and "improve the reliability of the drinking water supply", a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said.

Richmond Road would be closed from east of Brompton Lakes to just east of the Parkgate Lane Entrance, with diversions in place from 21 July, they said.

Richmond town councillor Ian Woods said: "The closure will have a major impact on people who work in Brompton and Northallerton and live in Richmond, and vice versa.

"In addition, people with hospital appointments at the Friarage Hospital, or who need train services from Northallerton, are going to have to factor in a lot of extra time."

'Tailbacks probable'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Richmond division councillor Stuart Parsons said he had asked for the closure to be limited to overnight, but was told this was not possible.

"They said that wasn't possible due to the size of the engineering work that has to be carried out," he said.

"It will probably lead to tailbacks, but drivers can use the A1 relief road to get between Richmond and Brompton so that should help. We'll have to wait and see."

Jon Lemoine, senior project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "We don't take the decision to close roads lightly, but in this case, it is absolutely necessary in order for us to complete this important work.

"We understand this closure will be particularly disruptive, and we'd like to assure customers we'll be working quickly and doing everything that we can to minimise that disruption.

"We thank everyone in the area for their patience in advance."

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