Drivers face 40-minute diversion as A64 closed for roadworks later this month

Highways England will carry out vital resurfacing and construction on the A64 between Sherburn and Staxton.

The work, which gets underway this month, is part of a £4 million investment in improving safety and journeys on the A64.

Highways England project manager Gagandeep Singh said: “The vital repairs between Sherburn and Staxton are a significant next step in of our commitment to making the A64 safer and more dependable for road users.

“There may be some disruption for people who live nearby, and we’ll do our best to minimise the inconvenience. However, I want to stress that these safety improvements will benefit residents as well as drivers. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these essential safety improvements.”

Engineers will dig down 300mm to repair the foundation of the road before introducing a new high friction surface to boost safety. There will also be new road markings and reflective road studs.

To complete the job as safely and quickly as possible, and to keep disruption for residents down to a minimum, the road between West Heslerton and Staxton will be closed from 8pm on Friday, February 26 to 6am on Monday, March 1.

There will also be overnight closures between Sherburn and Staxton from Monday, February 22 for around five weeks between 8pm and 6am to complete the repairs.

Highways England has contacted residents who could be affected by the closures and made access arrangements. For those living outside the closure points, clearly-signed diversions will be in place for drivers who need to travel along the A64.

February will also usher in the start of road stud renewals at various locations along the A64 to enhance safety at night. This will take between four and six weeks.

Meanwhile, work to install ‘village gateways’ on the A64 has reached the halfway point. This involves lowering the speed limit to 50mph through the villages, which will have gateway features such as ‘Welcome to’, ‘Please drive carefully’ and speed limit signs, as well as extra signage and coloured surfacing.

The remaining four ‘village gateways’ – West Heslerton, Sherburn, Potter Brompton and Ganton – will be completed when the Sherburn to Staxton maintenance has finished.

The second phase of drainage improvements between Sherburn and Ganton is expected to be done by March. Work will continue overnight and resurfacing is due to take place. Further drainage work is planned in Rillington and near to Stockton-on-the-Forest.