This is when improvement works will begin on two major Scalby Road junctions in Scarborough

Work to reconstruct footpaths to the east of Stepney Drive will start next Monday (January 27) between 8am and 4pm on weekdays. It will be carried out under temporary traffic light control for eight weeks.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “These much-needed plans to replace a worn footpath will improve safety for pedestrians.

"We had aimed to undertake these works during the recent Stepney Drive road closure but unfortunately due to a busy works programme and limited resources committed to schemes elsewhere on the network this could not be achieved.

“We would advise drivers to try to avoid Stepney Drive at peak times or allow extra time for your journey and apologise for the disruption these works are likely to cause.”

This step marks the halfway point in the £4m scheme in Scarborough which will see four major junctions in the town upgraded to ease congestion and improve safety for pedestrians.

Work on the Stepney Road/Falsgrave Road roundabout is scheduled for autumn 2020 with all work expected to be complete by spring 2021.

In their original layout the four junctions were expected to reach capacity by the end of the Local Plan in 2032.

Work has already been completed on the Scalby Road/Manor Road junction, where the road was resurfaced and widened to create two lanes, the roundabout was made smaller to make it easier to turn and improvements were made to the pedestrian dropped kerbs and islands.

At the Stepney Road/Stepney Drive/Sandybed Lane junction, the approaching roads were widened to accommodate additional lanes, and a new pedestrian crossing for pupils attending Scarborough Sixth Form College was created.

County Councillor Liz Colling, of the Falsgrave and Stepney division, said: “I’m delighted to see the scheme progressing at such a pace as we are desperate for some of these works to support future growth.

“As I’m sure residents and commuters know, standing traffic at the junctions was a real problem with children and adults having to breathe in unnecessary pollution.”

County Councillor Andrew Jenkinson, of the Woodlands division, said: “We have already received positive feedback from residents and commuters who see a real improvement.

“Positivity around the town will only grow when the work is complete. I’d like to thank our highways team and contractors, as well as drivers for their patience and support whilst these works are taking place.”

The County Council and Scarborough Borough Council are working in partnership on the scheme, contributing £150,000 each, with the bulk of the funding coming from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, plus developer contributions.