Work to start on improving the notorious '2 lanes into 1' merge on Scalby Road, Scarborough

North Yorkshire County Council made alterations in August to the junctions of Scalby Road with Woodlands Drive, Stepney Drive and Woodland Ravine to ease congestion and improve safety for pedestrians.

It was the third of four major junction improvements that form a £4m scheme in the town.

The work saw the creation of additional approach lanes and improved traffic signals.

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Since completion, the council’s highways team has been contacted by members of the public with concerns about the lane merge in Scalby Road north of Woodlands Drive, the proximity of the bus stop and the island intended to protect cyclists re-joining the carriageway from the shared footway.

Work to address the concerns will now begin on Monday.

Many drivers have complained that the lane merge means vehicles in the two lanes vying for position as it becomes one lane, with reports of near-misses.

County councillor Don Mackenzie, the county council's Executive Member for Access, said: “We are grateful to members of the public and road users for their suggestions for minor alterations to the traffic management at the junction and have already introduced these as interim measures. I thank our highways team for acting promptly.

“The final design of a permanent solution is now ready and involves extending the shared cycleway northbound on Scalby Road and allowing cyclists to re-join the carriageway near the Old Scalby Road junction.

“This will create a safer environment for cyclists and provide more space for vehicles to merge.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s contractor, Fox Owmby Ltd, will be working on the footway near the north entrance to the hospital on weekdays from Monday between 7am to 7pm, lasting for two weeks.

No road or lane closures are required. The footpath will be closed and pedestrians diverted to the other side of the road.

Resurfacing of the road will be carried out in Scalby Road on December 14, 15 and 16 between 7pm and 6am. A road closure on Scalby Road northbound will be in place from the Woodlands Drive junction to Old Scalby Road. A signed diversion will be in place.