As reported in the recent Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Focus newsletter, the scheme to deliver improved drainage and ‘active travel’ measures along the Tadcaster Road corridor will not be completed before Christmas. Initially the end date was advertised as September 2023.

Tree roots and unmapped gas pipes have led to more hand digging than had been anticipated, and an archaeological ‘watching brief’ has also apparently slowed the pace of work.

The scheme is jointly funded by the Department for Transport (£5 million) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (£1.4 million).

Local councillors had raised concerns about confusion caused by the failure to install markings on the new cycle by-pass opposite the Slingsby Grove shops, but we are pleased to report that markings have now been painted – including a ‘mini zebra’ where the footpath intersects the cycle path.

A report tabled for discussion at a meeting of the council’s Executive on 16 November confirms that the scheme is £600,000 over budget and that some elements of the scheme are likely to be dropped. The report states: “A formal approach to WYCA as one of the existing funding bodies to see if additional funding can be secured has been made. If additional funding cannot be found to support the project then decisions on value engineering to bring the project within budget and slip elements of the current project into consideration for future phases.”

The project team has held two recent ‘drop-in’ sessions for residents, with further sessions planned in December and January.

Meanwhile the project team has published an information / FAQ document with details of forthcoming resurfacing work, which will require some overnight road closures. The document is reproduced below.

Nighttime Resurfacing Schedule for Tadcaster Road

Each night-time road closure will be undertaken between 9.30pm to 6.00am and will be from Sunday evening to Saturday morning, with no works taking place on Saturday daytime or night-time.

PHASE 1:

Wednesday 22 November, until Friday 8 December, working Sunday evening to Saturday morning only between the hours of 9.30pm to 6.00am.

Approximate durations for each closure are as follows:
• Wednesday 22 November until Friday 24 November: between Knavesmire Road and Dalton Terrace
• Sunday 26 November until Friday 1 December: between St Helen’s Road and Knavesmire Road
• Sunday 3 December until Thursday 7 December: between Moor Lane and St Helen’s Road

PHASE 2:

Wednesday 3 January until Saturday 13 January, working Sunday evening to Saturday morning only between the hours of 9.30pm to 6.00am.

Approximate durations for each closure are as follows:
• Wednesday 3 January until Friday 5 January: between Knavesmire Road and Dalton Terrace
• Sunday 7 January until Tuesday 9 January: between St Helen’s Road and Knavesmire Road
• Wednesday 10 January until Friday 12 January: between Moor Lane and St Helen’s Road

PHASE 3:

Monday 15 January until Sunday 28 January: working Sunday evening to Saturday morning only between the hours of 9.30pm to 6.00am.
• between Sim Balk Lane and Moor Lane (please note the roundabout will remain operational for all other roads).

FAQ List

Q. My home is just off Tadcaster Road, how do I gain access to and from my address?

A. There will be five operatives one positioned at each of the road closures/access gates and a supervisor in the middle to escort vehicles through the closure when safe to do so. Anyone needing access in or out of the closure will need to drive to any one of the closure point where they will be approached by a gate man that will ask where they need access too so that the gate man can radio through to the supervisor to come and escort the vehicle in or out of the closure when safe to do so.

Q. What happens if an emergency vehicle requires entry?

A. In the event of an emergency please contact the emergency services as normal. Our traffic management team will provide access for emergency vehicles in all cases. Should you wish to contact our dedicated nighttime road closure supervisor, Lolly Hook, please contact her on 07971 840150, so our team can make any necessary arrangements in a timely manner.

Q. How much noise will occur whilst the resurfacing takes place?

A. A curfew of 11:30pm has been imposed for any breaking out of the road. These restrictions will be adhered to each night. The noise from any machinery will be infrequent.

Q. What will be the diversion routes to access my property?

A. Our traffic management will set up signage to indicate the most convenient diversion routes around where the resurfacing works are taking place.

Q. What if I can’t get out of my driveway?

A. If this is the case please contact our dedicated nighttime road closure supervisor, Lolly Hook, on 07971 840150. Lolly will be able to engage with our traffic management team to find any appropriate solution for you.

Q. What if I see anything that is unsafe practice?

A. Again, if this is the case please contact our dedicated nighttime road closure supervisor, Lolly Hook, on 07971 840150. Lolly will be able to action any practice you find unsafe or, in most cases, be able to answer your queries accurately.