REPAIRS to a section of the A59 that has been closed since the end of May will be carried out over the next fortnight.

Contractors for North Yorkshire County Council will be working on the bank below the road at Kex Gill, which has a history of instability, to reinforce the wall.

That stretch of the Skipton to Harrogate road was shut once again at the end of last month after a large crack appeared in its surface.

The council (NYCC) is warning that the repair scheme will be 'technically complex' - but is still hoping to be able to open the road, to single file traffic controlled by temporary traffic lights, early in July.

That should be welcome news to residents and businesses in towns like Otley and Ilkley, which have suffered some of the knock-on effects of the closure.

A NYCC council spokesman said: "The county council’s contractors will be working over the next two weeks on the bank below the road to carry out the repairs necessary to reinforce the wall.

"This is a technically complex operation with difficult ground conditions, but the authority continues to work towards being able to open the road to single file traffic early in July.

"The council is aware of local businesses’ concerns about the closure and is doing all it can to reopen the road to traffic.

"An added benefit of opening the road to single file traffic would be to provide access ahead of the Great Yorkshire Show.

"However, given the complexity of the operation, it is only as work progresses that we can be certain that all the issues have been dealt with successfully. Safety must be our top priority, so we will not open the road to traffic unless we are sure it is safe to do so."

The authority, meanwhile, is now ready to unveil its preferred option for a permanent solution to the road's problems at Kex Gill.

Realigning the route to the other side of the valley is part of the council's strategic transport plan to improve east to west transport connections.

An exhibition of the realignment plans will be held at Norwood Social Hall, Norwood from 10am to 3pm, when people are invited to drop in, view the proposals and leave written or verbal comments.

Council officers and it consultants, WSP, will be on hand to answer questions.

Information on the plans will also be available online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/kexgill and comments can be sent by e-mail to LTP@northyorks.gov.uk.

Anyone unable to access the Internet can also get details by calling 01609 780780 or writing to: Transport Planning Team, Business and Environmental Services, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AD.