September start date for town road improvements

Improvements to the busy junction are part of a £2.3m town improvements' scheme

The first phase of a £2.3m scheme to improve access for pedestrians and vehicles in Whitby is due to start on 1 September.

The work includes a £500,000 upgrade to the New Bridge/Spital Bridge junction of the A171, about half a mile (0.8km) from the town's historic swing bridge which spans the River Esk and links the east and west sides of the town.

Improvements, including the installation of new traffic lights and road resurfacing, as well as new road crossings and changes to traffic islands and kerb lines, is expected to be completed within 12 weeks.

Councillors acknowledged there may be some "short-term disruption", but said the road improvements would "make life much easier".

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transport, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, said: "This major upgrade is seen by many to be much needed, as the new signals will make life much easier for those emerging from the side roads, and will improve the crossing places for pedestrians.

"This scheme is the first phase of our wider vision for the popular coastal town, with plans for the harbourside set to come to fruition next year."

The New Bridge/Spital Bridge junction of the A171 is half a mile from the town's 75ft swing bridge

Councillor Neil Swannick, who represents the Whitby Streonshalh division on North Yorkshire Council, said the work would "inevitably cause short-term disruption at the junction".

But he said there would be "huge benefits from the crossing points", which, he said, would "provide a safer route for the many students who make their way to Whitby School on the west side of New Bridge".

A council spokesperson said most of the work over the course of the 12 weeks was scheduled to take place during the day, between 07:00 and 19:00.

However, during the first week the work will take place overnight only, between 19:00 and 02:00 BST, while during both the second and final week of the scheme work would take place both during the day and evenings.

A council statement said there would be access for pedestrians throughout the improvements.

For residents wishing to know more, a meeting will be held on 29 August, between 14:00 and 19:00 BST, at Whitby Leisure Centre.

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