DOZENS of concerned residents attended a meeting in Grassington to find out more about the road works on the B6265 at Tyke Hill.

Known locally as Tile Kiln Hill, the road between Skipton and Grassington has subsided in three places just south of Rylstone and has had to be coned off and traffic lights put in place.

County councillor Shelagh Marshall called the meeting after a large number of residents expressed their concerns.

Mike Roberts, head of highways operations at North Yorkshire County Council, attended the meeting along with David Wilson, maintenance manager based at the Skipton depot.

There were also representatives from the three emergency services who expressed their concern at the effect that the traffic lights might have on their ability to respond to emergencies.

Mr Roberts explained that the council's priority was to keep the road open as it provided the main route into Grassington and Upper Wharfedale.

"Obviously it would be quicker to close the road and do the repairs, but we have been told the road must stay open and that is why we've got the traffic lights there," he said.

Coun Marshall said she had been concerned about the state of the road for as long as she had been a councillor.

A report was commissioned from the county council's consultants Mouchelparkman earlier this year.

That report went before the council in August, at which time the estimated cost of a repair scheme was put at £300,000.

Mr Roberts told the meeting that figure had now increased to £450,000.

Because the road needs to remain open, it will take about three months to complete the repair work, which will consist of driving in piles alongside the roadway and then using ties to anchor them securely through the existing road.

"It will effectively create a retaining wall which is then tied back into the road surface," said Mr Wilson.

Residents asked what was going to happen during the three Dickensian Festival weekends held in Grassington in December.

Mr Wilson said staff would man the traffic lights and control the flow manually. "Having the lights manually operated is more expensive but it means we can hopefully prevent any traffic build up," he added.

Craven District Councillor John Sayer, who represents Upper Wharfedale, said: "I represent residents who are driving up and down the dale for work and the sooner this can be dealt with, the better."

Coun Sayer also asked if the road could be straightened at the same time, but was told that would involve constructing a completely new section of road.

Eric Rowley, chairman of Grassington Parish Council, said he felt the meeting had been useful.

"A lot of people are concerned about it," he added.