Rethink on closure of Scarborough's Valley Road after outcry from businesses and residents

One of Scarborough’s main roads will now not be closed for three weeks, following objections from residents and businesses.
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Contractors carrying out a £2 million repainting of Scarborough’s Valley Bridge said they needed to close Valley Road in order to move on to the next stage of the job.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for the work, says it has now ditched a plan to close the road for three weeks from Monday August 23.

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The road will not be fully closed and work will begin after the Summer bank holiday on August 31.

Rethink on Valley Road closure.Rethink on Valley Road closure.
Rethink on Valley Road closure.

Barrie Mason, North Yorkshire’s assistant director for highways, said: “During the next phase of repainting work on Valley Bridge plans were in place to close Valley Road.

“However, in light of the issues this would cause, scaffolding will now be erected in sections over Valley Road, meaning the road will remain open and only one lane will need to be closed at any time with two-way traffic signals in operation.

“The traffic signals will be in place for three weeks from Tuesday September 1, in the hope of good weather which is necessary for repainting work. We will keep the public updated of any changes.”

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Businesses and residents feared that the closure of the road would lead to gridlock in the town and impact on the tourist season.

Speaking earlier this week, county councillor Janet Jefferson, who represents Scarborough’s Castle Division, said that traders were worried about losing business if the road was to close.

She said: “It would be terrible for the businesses, they are doing well and recouping some of their losses following the lockdown and they don’t want to lose that.”

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